Measurement is the foundation that gives us confidence in the world around us.
As Australia's trusted measurement authority, the NMI ensures that buyers and sellers get what they pay for when transacting with measurement. From putting petrol or electricity in your car to buying groceries at the supermarket, our measurement laws underpin commerce and trade.
Bill Loizides leads the team in charge of the laws and rules for how things are measured, and the tools used for measuring. He has worked in government for 40 years, with previous regulatory experience in workplace health and safety, dangerous goods and industrial relations. Bill's work gives him variety and rewarding challenges which he enjoys.
Bill says technology in measurement is changing fast. His team is working on modernising Australia's measurement laws to keep pace with technological change and new ways of doing business like AI (artificial intelligence).
Future proofing measurement law
The measurement law reforms aim to help Australia keep pace with changing business practices as well as evolving measurement needs. The current legal metrology legislation supports consumer confidence in our measurement system. However, compared to modern laws, it is prescriptive, lacks flexibility and does not support new technologies.
'The goal of the measurement law reform is to "future-proof" laws that may still be relevant 40 years from now. It is an exciting challenge, especially considering the current National Measurement Act dates back to 1960,' Bill explains.
'In a rapidly digitising world legal metrology frameworks need to evolve to support technological advancements. Machine learning and artificial intelligence have prompted a rethink of how legal metrology frameworks can support sectors across the economy.
'A major challenge is maintaining industry and consumers confident in increasingly intelligent, self-adjusting measuring instruments, especially those operated by parties outside Australia. We're working with industry and accredited third parties throughout the whole supply chain, to maintain trust in evolving measurement technologies.'
Measurement in a digital world
The NMI team is working on standards for new technology in areas such as grocery stores, farming, energy and transport. All these efforts aim to ensure confidence and currency in Australia's measurement system.
Bill is inspired by the work his team is doing to future proof Australia's legal metrology system.
'These are exciting times to be working in legal metrology. The NMI legal metrology team are working with the grocery sector to support the approval and deployment of smart shopping trolleys. In the agricultural sector, we're partnering on trials of AI-based instruments designed to identify grain varieties and defects. This work enhances efficiency and consistency in wholesale grain trading.
'We are focused on the ongoing transformation of the energy and transport sectors, specifically in the electric vehicle (EV) space. We work with key stakeholders and industry bodies to help develop internationally harmonised and accepted requirements for EV chargers. This ensures that measurement standards keep pace with technological change.
'Our efforts reflect a broader commitment to future-proofing Australia's legal metrology system. This will ensure it remains robust, responsive and relevant in a rapidly changing world.'
