Technological Progression and Urgency of

egulatory Amendment

on Legal Metrology

Muldri Pudamo James Pasaribu

and Ningrum Natasya Sirait

Student of Doctoral Program in Law, University of Sumatera Utara, Jl. Abdul Hakim No. 4, Medan, Indonesia

Lecturer of Doctoral Program in Law, University of Sumatera Utara, Jl. Abdul Hakim No. 4, Medan, Indonesia

Keywords: Regulatory Amendment, Technological Progession, Legal Metrology

Abstract: Law Number 2 Year 1981 concerning Legal Metrology (UUML) is aimed at ensuring verifiable

measurement and legal certainty of measurement in activities related to transaction justice, public health,

environmental protection, and safety. Both of these activities basically have to be recognized internationally

and truthfully. The purpose of this study is to find out how rapidly evolving technology becomes an urgency

in encouraging countries to improve the metrological regulations. This research is legal research, with

normative juridical approach. Data obtained through the library research. UUML was born at the time of

unknown information system as reliable as it is today. Starting from the measurement technology is more

effective, efficient, and the results of high accuracy, to the technology that facilitates the access to

information and facilitate the decision-making. Progress from the science and practice of metrology that has

not been accommodated in the existing law. In addition to adjusting laws with technology, the government

should also pay attention to the provision of human resources to operate technology in the field of

metrology.

1 INTRODUCTION

In everyday life, human beings cannot be separated

from measuring activities, ranging from performing

simple measurements to measurements that require

high technology (BPHN, 2013). Measurement

activities have become part of everyday life that we

often do not realize, for example:

 The speedometer on the car used when

monitoring the speed of the vehicle, to ensure

the safety of the trip thereby reducing the

casualty of traffic accidents.

 At the time of undergoing a medical

examination to make sure we stay healthy, then

used health measuring device.

 When using the time to use appropriate and

satellite positioning system to determine

location.

 When consuming electricity, gas, and water, it

will be billed by measurement.

 When buying meat, fish, fruit, and vegetables, it

will be paid based on the weight of the

commodity purchased.

 At the time of refuelling the vehicles then use

unit volume (OIML, 2018)

All of the above activity examples can be

measured, and measurement activities are called

metrology.

Not many understand metrology in depth. Article

1 point a Law No. 2 of 1981 regarding Legal

Metrology defined that metrology is a science of

measuring widely. According to the International

Vocabulary of Basic and General Terms in

Metrology (VIM), metrology is an activity that

encompasses all the activities necessary to make the

correct measurements, traceable and acknowledged

in national, regional and international levels, in such

a way as to create mutual trust in between the parties

conducting or having an interest in the measurement.

This mutual trust then created social cohesion in

society and facilitated transactions in the global

marketplace.

The diversity of human needs for measurement,

resulting in metrology developed into three

categories such as industrial metrology, legal

metrology, and scientific metrology. This

international classification was introduced in the

European community through the European

1606

Pasaribu, M. and Sirait, N.

Technological Progression and Urgency of Regulatory Amendment on Legal Metrology.

DOI: 10.5220/0010090716061610

In Proceedings of the International Conference of Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental and Ramiﬁcation Researches (ICOSTEERR 2018) - Research in Industry 4.0, pages

1606-1610

ISBN: 978-989-758-449-7

Collaboration in Measurement Standards

(EUROMET, then EURAMET). Industrial

Metrology is intended to provide certainty of the

accuracy of the equipment used in the planning,

production process and the process of testing the

characteristics of industrial products in such a way

that the quality of its products can be accepted

internationally. Legal metrologyis concerned with

measurements that impact economic, health, and

safety transactions. Scientific metrology, related to

the regulation and development of its measurement

and maintenance standards (highest level) (Howarth

and Redgrave, 2008). The categorization of

metabiological activities introduced by EURAMET

is then internationally accepted in the grouping of

metrology applications (BPHN, 2016)

Metrology includes three main things (Howarth

and Redgrave, 2008):

 Determination of the definition of

internationally accepted measure units; such

as meters.

 The manifestation of units of measure based

on scientific methods; such as the

embodiment of the meter values using a

laser beam.

 Determining the traceability chain by

determining and recording the value and

accuracy of measurement and disseminating

that knowledge; e.g., the relationship (ratio)

between the measuring value of a screw

micrometer in the workshop and the

standard length in the standard laboratory

length.

The accuracy and consistency of measurements

can be guaranteed if there are arrangements by the

state or government. The standard is intended to

create a healthy and fair market, especially for

consumers (Johnston, 2009). The legal protection of

Metrological activity in Indonesia is governed by

Law No. 2 of 1981 regarding Legal Metrology

(UUML) which outlines the units of measurement,

unit standard, testing and calibration of Measuring,

Dosing, Weighing Devices and their outfits (UTTP)

and Goods In Wrapped Condition (BDKT) along

with prohibited conduct related to circulation and

use of Measuring Instruments and Measurement

Units that are not in accordance with BDKT

provisions and circulation that are not in accordance

with the provisions.

UUML is aimed at ensuring verifiable

measurement and legal certainty of measurement in

activities related to transaction justice, public health,

environmental protection, and safety. Both of these

activities have to be recognized internationally and

truthfully.

Various developments related to measuring

technology, unit size definition, BDKT testing

system, international agreement, governance system,

the application of calibration service, community

needs and the amount of criminal sanction and

penalty, a new law which regulates a comprehensive

system national metrology is integrated in

accordance with the development and futuristic so as

to be able to answer the needs of the measurement

for the future.

The scope of UUML arrangement substantially

focuses on legal metrology from the trade side.

While the protection of the public interest associated

with measurement is not only a fundamental

requirement for governments, traders, entrepreneurs,

consumers and trade practices alone, but legal

metrology covers all aspects of public interest

related to measurement such as health, safety,

environment and monitoring and control natural

resources.

Based on the above conditions, national

legislation should provide recognition of

international legal instruments, so that the certainty

of measurement can be guaranteed not only

nationally but also internationally. Progress from the

science and Metrology practice which is not

accommodated in the existing law. UUML has not

yet accommodated all the overall metrology system

arrangements that include scientific metrology,

industrial metrology, and legal metrology. The

urgent need for legislation that addresses the

problems and challenges that develop at the national,

regional and international levels, it is time to create a

more comprehensive Metrology Act.

The problem of this research is formulating into

question: how is the development of science and

technology as urgency in the improvement of

regulations in the field of metrology?

2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

This research is legal research. The approach

method used is normative juridical. Data obtained

through the literature. As an initial step, an analysis

of the various laws and regulations of metrology was

conducted. Furthermore, data related to the

definition, principles, and principles of metrology

were collected from literature in the form of books

and journals. Besides, some data is also obtained

through the internet and dictionaries. The total data

collected was then analyzed qualitatively, and

Technological Progression and Urgency of Regulatory Amendment on Legal Metrology

1607

presented systematically to obtain the answers to the

problems in this study.

3 RESULT AND DISCUSSION

The role of the state in metrological activities is to

provide the necessary tools in ensuring the

confidence in the measurement results (OIML,

2012). It requires the government to implement the

necessary measures to promote metrology, develop

adequate metrological infrastructure, support

metrology research to protect communities and

business actors against fraud related to

measurement. This activity should be regulated in a

comprehensive and coherent policy so that

metrological legislation is required.

The modern metrology element has grown to

such an extent that it is not limited to traditional

legal metrology activities. The importance of

metrology activities for socio-economic

development requires a comprehensive and coherent

metrology policy that takes into account issues

related to customers, employers, education, health,

safety and security of citizens. In developing a

national metrology system, the government should

ensure transparency so that every stakeholder with

metrology can make informed decisions.

Economic globalization, as well as international

cooperation in the field of metrology, is

overgrowing. While on the other hand, the

community needs a system that is more in line with

the standards and systems that develop

internationally, a system that provides more

assurance of certainty both for the interests of

consumers and the interests of the industrial world,

especially improving national competitiveness in

global competition.

The arrangement of Metrology in Indonesia

began to be regulated since 1923, that is with the

enactment of the Calibration Ordinance in 1923

which had four times change and last by RI Act. No.

Law No. 2, 1981 on Legal Metrology (In the

Explanation of Law No. 2 of 1981 explained that

with the transition period for 10 years, which in its

implementation 15 years, from 1 January 1938 in

Indonesia officially applies Metric System Unit in

size, dosage, scales and equipment that replaced

traditional system units such as to, and Kati. Teron

Ordinance has the signing of Presidential Decree

No. 54 of 1957 on the appointment of the Parent

Committee for Meters and Kilograms and

Presidential Decree No. 55 of 1957 on the

appointment of meters (X 27) and kilograms (K 46)

as a national standard All these provisions are no

longer valid with the enactment of the above

UUML.In addition to adopting the International

System of SI as the only officially appropriate unit

system in Indonesia, Law No. 2 of 1981 regulates

the standards, measuring equipment, Calibration and

Re-Calibration, goods in a wrapped state, prohibited

acts, criminal provisions, surveilance, and

investigations. The term National Metrology

Institute (LMN) is not known in Law no. 2 of 1981

and all the rules or decisions under it that apply

today. However, an interpretation of the existence of

LMN can be developed from the substance

mandated by UUML.

After the UUML stipulation, it was decided on

the formation of the National Standardization Board

through Presidential Decree No. 7 of 1989, National

Standard Measurement Unit through Government

Regulation No. 2 of 1989, the establishment of

National Standardization Body to continue the task

of the National Standardization Board through

Presidential Decree No. 13 of 1997, then the

establishment of SNSU Trusteeship, known as the

National Standard Committee of Size Units through

Presidential Decree no. 79 of 2001, in this

Presidential Decree, scientific-technical

management of national measurement standards is

submitted to the work unit under the Indonesian

Institute of Sciences, which is engaged in Metrology

namely Center for Metrology-LIPI.

Infrastructure involved in the implementation of

metrology in Indonesia has been developed and

internationally recognized between LIPI regarding

standard size management and research (scientific

metrology), National Standardization Body (BSN) in

harmonizing standards, and National Accreditation

Committee (KAN) in giving recognition in formal to

suitability. By recognizing the respective roles of the

infrastructure, cooperation and partnerships are

necessary to support the implementation of

comprehensive metrology activities in turns such as

assessment of test laboratories, the preparation of

SNI for UTTP products, standard verification, and

others.

Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge

of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or

methods of organization to solve a problem or

perform a specific function. It can also refer to the

collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures.

Technology is a vital component of industrialization

and any country which envisions industrialization

pay much attention to securing technology

appropriate to peculiar needs (Republic of Kenya,

2006).

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Technology also plays a direct role in the current

structural disinflation because technological

innovation has reduced the real cost of certain

crucial goods, especially information systems,

telecommunications, and transportation. Strong

productivity gains-driven in part by technology- also

keep inflation low, even when labor markets are

very tight.

Globalization even accelerates technological

change. Every day there seems to be a new

technological innovation created. The pace of

change is happening so fast as if everyone were

racing each other in buying or updating his or her

new devices. Technology is now also a leader in the

modern world in creating new jobs, innovations, and

networking sites that allow individuals to connect

globally (Levin Institute, 2016).

With the advent of programmable hardware

components and their integration into measuring

instruments, the influence and importance of

software, especially in legal metrology, has been

remarkably increased. Software validation is an

indispensable part of the type examination process in

legal metrology. The validation of software

concerning the developed requirements of the

baseline remains a demanding task due to the

absence of straightforwardly defined procedures

(Richter, 2006).

The definition of a unit and standard measures

are dynamic following the Development of Science

and Technology (IPTEK) and the International

Agreement. Science and technology are continually

evolving and proportional to their application in the

world of measurement, in this case, the world of

metrology, since almost every discipline must

involve calculation, measurement, calibration,

certification, and so on.

UUML was born at the time of unknown

information system as reliable as it is today. Starting

from the measurement technology is more effective,

efficient, and the results of high accuracy, to the

technology that facilitates the access to information

and facilitate the decision-making.

Another significant development is

nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is a field of

science studies that deal with engineering

technology on materials that have a size less than

100 nanometers or billionth of a meter (Allhoff,

2010). This technology can create substances up to

one billionth of a meter (nanometer), so the

properties and functions of the substance can be

changed as desired. In the world of health,

nanotechnology can play a role in improving the

quality of production and safety (safety

performance), helps solubility, stability, and

absorption, multifunctional to detect cancer and to

deliver drugs directly to target cells. The use of

nanotechnology for community needs products such

as in the manufacture of computers, electronic

products, cosmetics products, fertilizer industry,

nano textile products, nanoceramics, nano coating,

nanofilm, nano pharmaceutical world and others

including Indonesian herbal (Nurul, 2007).

In Indonesia, the traceability chain for

nanotechnology measuring equipment is still not

available. Currently, the Nanometrology research

group at the LIPI Metrology Research Center is

researching the development of traceability of

nanotechnology measuring equipment, especially for

the nanotechnology-based measuring instrument that

is much needed in Indonesia. The use of this

technology is highly likely to increase over time. So

the government has to think about the legal

infrastructure that can accommodate technological

advances in the field of nanotechnology.

The rapid advancement of information and

communication technology and its widespread

utilization potential also opens opportunities for

accessing, managing and utilizing large volumes of

information quickly and accurately. Utilization of

communication and information technology in

government process (e-government) will improve

efficiency, effectiveness, transparency, and

accountability of governance (Kemenkumham,

2016).

Along with technology is always needed human

resources capable of running to operate the

technology. UUML regulates the rightful employee

along with authority to conduct re-calibration,

refrain and damage the measuring instruments that

do not meet the requirements. Metrological activity

is not only done by measurement manpower but also

involves laboratory institutions, standard managers,

supervisors, Civil Servants Investigator (PPNS),

researchers, and so forth.

Resources owned by local governments in

organizing metrology activities are quite limited. A

survey conducted by the Japan International

Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2006 shows that

there is a change of function in the region as a result

of regional autonomy, resource constraints, and

equipment limitations.

Based on the result of study of legal metrology

system by Domestic Trade Research and

Development Center Puslitbang Perdagangan Dalam

Negeri, Trade Research and Development Agency of

Trade Ministry in 2007 found that one of the

obstacles of local government is the resources and

Technological Progression and Urgency of Regulatory Amendment on Legal Metrology

1609

institutional of regional metrology unit experiencing

inequality between Java region (for example DKI

Jakarta, East Java, West Java) and outside Java.

Both are human resources and technical

infrastructure support where the condition of legal

metrology unit outside Java island is quite alarming.

Comparison of performance results for each

metrology unit has an average of 17.88 functional

HR people to serve 9.13 districts/cities; 103.6

Subdistricts; and 1,168.94 villages with 4,381,186

residents (Kemenkumham, 2016).

There is no explicit regulation related to

professional standards, competency standards, and

professional ethics and has not set clearly about

education and training metrology. At the level of the

implementation of national tera and re-tera service

has not been optimal due to the limited number of

human resources, and the difficulty in getting the

right personnel formation in various regions. For the

improvement of the new regulation, the standard

conditions are clear arrangements on the types of

HR Kemetrologian, clarity of standard setting:

profession, competence, operational procedures and

professional ethics, as well as the precise

arrangement of Kemetrologian Education and

Training, and reactivation of Metrology Academy.

Metrology will continue to grow and go hand in

hand with increasingly advanced technology and

science. It takes continuous research to keep

metrology relevant and useful for human life.

Likewise, the law must go hand in hand with these

technological developments. If the law lags behind,

then there will be chaos, because the law always

aims to achieve order.

4 CONCLUSION

UUML is aimed at ensuring verifiable measurement

and legal certainty of measurement in activities

related to transaction justice, public health,

environmental protection, and safety. UUML has not

yet accommodated all the overall metrology system

arrangements that include scientific metrology,

industrial metrology, and legal metrology. Even with

the advancement of science and technology, the

practice of metrology is no longer contained in the

existing law. The urgent need for legislation that

addresses the problems and challenges that develop

at the national, regional and international levels, it is

time to create a more comprehensive Metrology Act.

Also, the government must also think about the

required operator power, which is capable of

running human resources to operate the technology.

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Allhoff, F., Lin, P., Moore, D. (2010). What is

Nanotechnology and Why does It Matter? From

Science to Ethics Wiley-Blackwell, USA.

Howarth, P., Redgrave, F. (2008). Metrologi:Sebuah

Pengantar Puslit KIM-LIPI, Jakarta.

Johnston, A. (2009). The Important of Metrology for

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Kemenkumham, (2016). Laporan Akhir Penyelarasan

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Tentang Metrologi Kementerian Hukum Dan Hak

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State University of New York, USA, visited on July

26th 2018, http://www.globalization101.org/uploads/

File/Technology/tech.pdf

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Academic Script regarding Revision Act No 2 Year

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