Indonesia to Amend its National Metrology Law

On 23 May 2023 was World Metrology Day. The Indonesian Ministry of Trade (MoT) used this occasion to announce its intention to amend the current metrology law. The World Metrology Day event was held at the Ministry of Trade Auditorium in Jakarta. The event marked the 100th year of legal metrology in Indonesia. Several metrology experts attended the event: Peter Mason, the former International Committee of Legal Metrology (CIML) President, Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Dr Felicitas Schneider, Thünen Institute, Deputy Minister Mr Jerry Sambuaga, Head of the National Standardisation Body (Badan Standarisasi Nasional – BSN), Mr Kukuh S. Ahmad, and Mr Inosentius Samsul, Secretariat General of the House of Representatives (Dewan Perwakilan Rakyat – DPR).

 

Themed ‘Global Food Security and Resilience’, the Ministry of Trade seeks to streamline and update the national laws on metrology. The goal is to align with the international metrology laws to support the global efforts in reducing food waste and loss.

 

Metrology for Food Security and Resilience

Metrology plays an important role in reducing food loss and waste. As Dr Schneider outlined, food losses and wastage have gradually increased since 2014, with global monetary losses up to $ 940 billion and greenhouse gas emissions increasing by 8-10%. One of the solutions to reducing food loss and waste is the unique ability of metrology to monitor and ensure the best possible quality of food.

 

Dr Schneider explained that metrology can monitor the proper care and storage of food by measuring moisture content. Higher moisture content before or during storage attracts pests and leads to food losses on the farm or during processing. Measuring moisture content also ensures maximum storage performance in the production of safe and high-quality food. Furthermore, metrology also plays an important role in calculating the availability of nutrients and detecting malnutrition to ensure food safety.

 

Indonesia Legal Metrology Law Amendment

As an agricultural country, Indonesia benefits greatly from metrology. Alluding to the urgency highlighted by Dr Schneider, the Indonesian Government, through the MoT is planning to amend its national legal metrology law to stay in line with global advancements and the evolving international standards.

 

Dr Peter Mason, former CIML president from PTB, opened the discussion by presenting recommendations based on the OIML International Document D1. He highlighted that the document is a “model law” – like a blueprint. It contains the basic information for countries that want to modernise their metrology law. Nevertheless,  Dr Mason stressed the importance of starting with the current law and updating it using the OIML International Documents D1 and engaging internationally.

 

In response to the recommendations, Mr Denny Tresna Seswara, Senior Verification Officer of Directorate of Metrology, elaborated that the long road of the amendment will result in a draft law by the end of this year. The draft will include OIML Documents and IEC/ISO guide recommendations. It will also include the use of the international unit of measurement as the official national unit of measurement. This ensures the coordination with the international metrology system.