Overview
ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007 (VIM) - International vocabulary of metrology - provides a harmonized, bilingual (English/French) set of definitions, concept diagrams, examples and notes for the basic and general concepts used in metrology. Intended as a common reference, the VIM clarifies terms related to quantities and units, measurement, measuring devices, properties of measuring devices and measurement standards. The Guide supports consistent terminology across disciplines and is suitable for all measurement uncertainty levels and application fields.
Key topics
- Quantities and units: standardized treatment of quantities, unit concepts and links to the SI system.
- Measurement concepts: definitions for measurement, measurand, measurement result, and related ideas.
- Measuring devices and properties: vocabulary for instruments, measuring systems and device characteristics.
- Measurement standards (étalons): terminology for reference standards and calibration hierarchy.
- Measurement uncertainty and traceability: conceptual foundations for the Uncertainty Approach (GUM) and metrological traceability.
- Concept diagrams, examples and notes: graphical and textual clarifications to show relationships among terms and to illustrate application.
- Bilingual presentation and corrections: first edition 2007 with corrected 2010 version; reproduction rules for educational use.
Practical applications
- Harmonizes terminology used in measurement procedures, technical reports, calibration certificates and teaching materials.
- A reference for designing measurement protocols, writing specifications, and documenting uncertainty and traceability chains.
- Supports cross-disciplinary measurement consistency in physics, chemistry, laboratory medicine, biochemistry, food science, forensic science, molecular biology and engineering.
- Used by accreditation bodies, regulators and trade associations to ensure consistent interpretation of metrological concepts in standards, conformity assessment and regulation.
Who uses this standard
- Scientists and engineers planning or performing measurements.
- Laboratory managers, metrologists and calibration personnel.
- Teachers and students in measurement science.
- Accreditation bodies, regulators, governmental and inter‑governmental organizations, and professional societies.
Related standards (for further reference)
- ISO/IEC Guide 98-3:2008 (GUM) - Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (referenced by VIM).
- ISO 80000 / IEC 80000 series - Quantities and units.
- SI Brochure (BIPM) - International System of Units.
- IEC 60050 (IEV) - for device-specific electrotechnical vocabulary.
ISO/IEC Guide 99:2007 (VIM) is essential for anyone seeking clear, internationally agreed terminology in metrology to improve communication, documentation and the comparability of measurement results.