Metrology In Ensuring The Quality Of Products And Services In Digital Economy

Transition to new technologies

There are several main trends in digital transformation (Bolshakov, 2017; Lotkov, 2016; Nesterenko & Kozlova, 2018). The Internet of things, blockchain technology, technologies to protect the network from cyber threats, augmented and virtual reality, big data, artificial intelligence and its Foundation, machine learning, are part of the global digital transformation. These trends can also be traced in the development of metrology.

Thus, the Internet of things technology is being actively implemented to collect data from a geographically distributed network of sensors by using wireless technologies and equipping sensors with additional computing power. An example is the collection of readings from utility consumption meters, which has been successfully automated recently. Readings are automatically transmitted to the utility provider in accordance with the specified frequency, which increases the reliability of data and the timeliness of their provision. At the same time, network security technologies ensure that real data on consumption volumes is hidden, which eliminates the possibility of using unauthorized data for criminal or mercenary purposes.

As for big data technology, it can be effectively used for in-depth analysis of measurement results from a large number of devices, in order to obtain, for example, additional information on measured values, to improve the methods of instrument verification.

We should also not forget about traditional automation technologies, which are reaching a new level in the context of digital transformation. So recently, single-board computers have become widely used, the use of which together with sensors allows you to create compact and multifunctional measuring tools and test equipment (Ermakov et al., 2019), easily integrated into measurement systems.

It should be noted that the active introduction of new technologies is to a certain extent hindered by the current concepts of metrology based on analog and discrete measurements (Gurtovtsev, 2008a, 2008b). The existing regulatory metrological base is focused on traditional measurement methods and methods of processing their results. It does not pay attention to the implementation features of modern digital measuring equipment, which includes a number of components that do not perform measuring functions, but provide additional features, such as the accumulation and transmission of measurement results. This approach not only makes it more difficult to check the equipment itself, but also increases its cost.

Metrological support of the digital economy communication system and measuring instruments for production of goods and services

The reliability of communication infrastructure is a key factor in the effective functioning of the digital economy. Therefore, constant metrological control of network parameters is a necessary requirement. The existing methodology and legal framework do not allow for verification and calibration of measuring systems as part of communication equipment remotely, this is only possible in metrological centers, or when directly connecting measuring instruments to communication equipment (Filippov, 2018). This circumstance not only leads to an increase in the cost of metrological support for the provision of services, but also hinders the creation of devices and the development of new measurement methods that could provide the specified accuracy regardless of the method of obtaining results.

A similar situation occurs in enterprises of the digital economy, where measuring tools are integrated into the production process, which imposes certain restrictions on the metrological support system (Filippov & Muzalevsky, 2020).

We hope that in the foreseeable future, such restrictions will be lifted and appropriate equipment will be available on the market.

Analysis of the legal framework in the field of metrology

The role of measurement in modern society cannot be overestimated. In 2016 and 2017, a Strategy was developed to ensure the uniformity of measurements in the Russian Federation until 2025 (approved by government Resolution No. 737-R of April 19, 2017). One of the most important areas of its implementation is to improve the legal framework for Metrology (Kuzin, 2017).

In the context of the global economy, all technological solutions, including the area of measurement uniformity, have an impact on all of humanity and on economic progress and development throughout the world, especially in countries where high technology is a priority for their economic development.

The legislation of the Russian Federation on ensuring the unity of measurements is based on the Constitution of the Russian Federation and includes Federal law No. 102-FZ of June 26, 2008 on ensuring the unity of measurements, as well as other normative legal acts of the Russian Federation adopted in accordance with them.

The state metrological institutes of the Russian Federation have already begun to work on ensuring the uniformity of measurements in the process of digitalization of the economy (Donchenko, 2018). Issues of metrological support are considered:

• information transfer volumes when evaluating the current distribution of transit traffic flows;

• time and frequency in networks with digital communication and transmission systems;

• spectral energy characteristics of radio signals;

• coordinate-time measurements;

• measurements in the implementation of geodesic and cartographic activities.

In these conditions, it is particularly important to approve the types of newly developed measuring instruments and to certify measurement methods.

The purpose of approval of the type of measuring instruments is to ensure the uniformity of measurements in the country and release into circulation of suitable measuring instruments. The regulatory framework for these works is set out in the following rules approved by order No. 1081 of the Ministry of industry and trade of the Russian Federation dated November 30, 2009:

• The procedure of testing standard specimens or measurement facilities for the purposes of type approval;

• The procedure for approving the type of standard samples or the type of measuring instruments;

• The procedure for issuing certificates of approval of the type of standard samples or the type of measuring instruments, establishing and changing the validity of these certificates and the interval between verification of measuring instruments;

• Requirements for approval marks of the type of standard samples or the type of measuring instruments and the procedure for their application.

These documents are harmonized with those of the International Organization of Legal Metrology (OIML).

When conducting tests and approving the type of measuring instruments, the following works are performed:

• testing of measuring instruments for type approval purposes;

• making a decision on type approval, its state registration, entering into the State register of measuring instruments and issuing a certificate of type approval;

• testing of measuring instruments for compliance with the approved type;

• recognition of type approval carried out by organizations of foreign countries;

• information services for consumers of measuring equipment, control and Supervisory bodies and public administration bodies.

Tests of measuring instruments for the purpose of type approval are carried out according to a program that establishes the scope and methodology of tests, their duration, and the nomenclature of documents submitted for testing (SGP 121-2013).

According to experts, the transformation of the Russian economy into a digital one will cause an increase in both the volume of data itself and the speed of their processing and transmission. Thus, by 2024, Russia is expected to increase the speed of data transmission in mobile networks of the 5G generation in 100 times, the growth in the number of broadband Internet users – 5 times, the growth in the capacity of Russian data centers – 2 times.

The initial stage of the legislative process for the transformation of Metrology in Russia was legislative initiatives to amend the 102-FZ "on ensuring the uniformity of measurements". The changes set the priority of digital registration of metrological activity results. Work in this direction is carried out taking into account international experience and in close cooperation with specialists of the national metrological Institute of Germany PTB (Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt) (Schulz, 2005). 

At the international scientific and practical conference "Metrology of the digital economy", held in May 2018 in Moscow, an agreement was reached to expand cooperation between Russian metrological institutes and PTB in the development of digital calibration certificates, the creation of a metrological "cloud", the use of "blockchain" technologies and methods of virtual testing of measurement software.

Assessment of the role of metrology in the components of quality of products and services

The quality infrastructure includes Metrology, standardization, and accreditation. Strengthening the relationship between these three components is a prerequisite for successful digital transformation of the economy.

Issues of metrological support for mandatory conformity assessment, which includes such forms of confirmation as Declaration of conformity and mandatory certification, are important for the accreditation of testing laboratories and centers.

The level of metrological support is a determining factor in the reliability of test results, and the presence of:

• approved and verified testing programs and methods;

• equipment and devices that have passed metrological verification for measuring instruments;

• personnel certified for testing.

Measuring equipment is all measuring instruments, standards, test equipment, auxiliary equipment necessary for testing. The general requirements for measurement processes, as well as metrological confirmation processes for specified equipment, are defined by ISO 10012:2003. In 2008, the corresponding state standard (State Standard R ISO 10012-2008, 2008) was approved and put into effect in Russia.

A more complex procedure used in cases where the measurement process is complex is the measurement process control system, which is understood as the monitoring and analysis of the measurement process data in combination with corrective actions aimed at maintaining the continuous finding of the measurement process within the established requirements. All the features of this system from a procedural point of view are set out in the ISO 10012 standard. Corrective actions may include, in particular, reducing the intervals between verifications, repairing or replacing an unstable or unreliable instrument, increasing the measurement time, the required accuracy, and so on.

The main provisions related to metrological support of tests have been developed in the new version of the international standard ISO/IEC 17025:2017. This document is the basis for implementing quality management systems in testing and calibration laboratories, as well as for evaluating their competence during accreditation. In Russia the state standard (State Standard ISO/IEC 17025-2019, 2019) acts as a similar document.

The main provisions specified in regulatory documents that are subject to verification when certifying quality management systems include:

• testing, measuring and auxiliary devices;

• procedure for preparing for tests and measurements;

• rules for processing and registration of test and measurement results;

• permissible errors of measurement results and accuracy of test results.

The results of tests are issued in the form of protocols, where the parameter of the object under test is expressed in the appropriate units of measurement, and its regulated value and tolerance for the parameter meet the requirements of regulatory documentation or technical conditions. It is obvious that a reliable result contributes to the harmonization of mandatory conformity assessment processes for mutual recognition and trade facilitation between countries.

Certification of services rendered is a more complex process. But it also involves carrying out measurements and tests. Therefore, without appropriate testing laboratories, and, consequently, without the procedures outlined above, it is impossible to do.