In a letter to the UKWF, Peter Mason, Chief Executive, writes:

"I am writing to let you know about two significant developments for the National Weights and Measures Laboratory.

On 1 April 2009 the Unit in the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) responsible for the NMS will be transferred here and the Agency will as a consequence become responsible for the NMS Programme, a key resource for innovation which provides funding for the National Measurement Institutes in the UK. In recognition of the significance of this expansion the Agency will be changing its name to the National Measurement Office from 1 April 2009. The National Measurement Office will continue to be an Executive Agency of DIUS.

The newly expanded Agency will be responsible for all aspects of the national measurement system, which includes investment in the UK's scientific measurement infrastructure in addition to policy on national legal metrology. This will bring the UK more in line with the more common international position where scientific metrology (the core of the NMS work) and legal metrology (the traditional responsibility of the Agency and including statutory responsibility for gas and electricity meters from 1 April 2009) are closely aligned or fully integrated.

I should like to emphasise, however, that the Agency's commitment to carrying out the functions of the old NWML remains as strong as ever. "NWML" will continue to be used in connection with our certification and calibration activities for the foreseeable future. Under its new name of the National Measurement Office the Agency will continue to seek active engagement with manufacturers of weighing and measuring instruments. This will ensure that we continue to provide an effective and efficient service to UK industry, and will ensure that the views of UK industry are considered when developing policy and legislation.

I look forward to continuing to work with you as we move into what I hope will be an exciting period for metrology. For its part the National Measurement Office will seek to operate at the forefront of modern, innovative policy-making and to provide strong support to UK industry and innovation through the effective application of both scientific and legal measurement."

Yours sincerely
Peter Mason
CE