SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Define the role, functions and operation of the international measurement system 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119238  Define the role, functions and operation of the international measurement system 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Engineering 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Engineering and Related Design 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  1 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard will be useful to people who use, test and calibrate measuring artefacts and equipment. Persons credited with this unit standard are able to:
  • Define the structure, role and function of the international measurement system.
  • Explain the derivation of accuracy traceability from SI units.
  • Explain the relationship between the international measurement system and quality systems. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Literacy and numeracy at NQF 04 or equivalent. 

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    The scope of this unit standard is to give a broad understanding to people who use, test and calibrate measuring artefacts and equipment, of the international and national measurement systems, measurement quantities, traceability chains and it relationship to quality systems. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Define the structure, role and function of the international measurement system. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The structure, role and function of the International Metrology Institute (BIPM) are explained in terms of scope of work and responsibility. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The structure, role and function of the Regional Metrology Organisations are explained in terms of scope of work and responsibility. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    SADCMET
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The structure, role and functions of the National Metrology Institutes are explained in terms of scope of work and responsibility. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    CSIR - NML.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the derivation of accuracy traceability from SI units. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The SI base units are explained in terms of name, abbreviation, prefix and definition. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The basic understanding of how all base units are realised in terms of physical phenomena are described. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The concept and definition of accuracy traceability is explained with reference to measurement standards. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Explain the relationship between the international measurement system and quality systems. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Including but not limited to ISO 17025, ISO 9000, ISO 14000 and QS 9000 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The basic principles of Quality Systems are explained in accordance with standards associated with international best practice. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The relationship between the International Measurement System and Quality Systems is explained in terms of ISO 17025 and competency. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The relationship between the International Measurement System and Quality Systems is explained in terms of compliance requirements. 


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be a registered SANAS Technical Assessor and registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

    Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.

    Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    Essential embedded knowledge will be assessed through assessment of the specific outcomes in terms of the stipulated assessment criteria. Candidates are unlikely to achieve all the specific outcomes, to the standards described in the assessment criteria, without knowledge of the listed embedded knowledge. This means that for the most part, the possession or lack of the knowledge can be directly inferred from the quality of the candidate's performance. Where direct assessment of knowledge is required, assessment criteria have been included in the body of the unit standard.

    The following embedded knowledge is addressed in an integrated way in the unit standard:

    2.1. International measurement system.

    2.1.1. The Metre Convention (BIPM).
  • Committee structures of the Metre Convention; CIPM;

    2.1.2. Regional Metrology Institutes (SADCMET)

    2.1.3. National Metrology Institutes.
  • National Metrology Laboratory of South Africa (NML);
  • Primary laboratories (NMI);
  • Reference laboratories (NMI);
  • Accredited laboratories.

    2.1.4. International organizations.
  • ILAC;
  • EUROMET;
  • EA European co-operation for Accreditation;
  • EUROLAB;
  • Eurochem;
  • IMEKO;
  • WELMEC.

    2.1.5. National Organisations
  • SANAS;
  • National Laboratory Association (NLA).

    2.2. Metrological Units, Traceability and Calibration.

    2.2.1. Metrological Units.
  • SI base units;
  • SI base units definitions;
  • SI derived units and examples;
  • Units outside the SI;
  • Other units;
  • Prefixes for binary multiples;
  • SI prefixes
  • SI Unit rules and style conventions.

    2.2.2. Traceability and Calibration.
  • Calibration definition;
  • Elements of Traceability;
  • Requirements of a National Measurement System;
  • Measurement standards;
  • Chain of responsibility;
  • Working guidelines for the writing of test and calibration methods;
  • Test reports and calibration certificates;
  • Choosing an accredited source of traceability.

    2.3. Relationship between International Measurement System and Quality Systems.

    2.3.1. Quality systems (ISO / IEC 17025)
  • Accreditation
  • Competence

    2.3.2. Quality systems (ISO 9000, ISO 14000, QS 9000)
  • Certification
  • Compliance 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems and make decisions using critical and creative thinking.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to critically analyse and identify the inter relationship of the various SI units

    Associated with specific outcome:
  • Explain the derivation of accuracy traceability from SI units. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community.
    Note: This critical outcome is not addressed in any of these specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage themselves and their activities responsibly and effectively.
    Note: This critical outcome is not addressed in any of these specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to collect information regarding the international measurement system, the SI units and quality systems from the visual examination and constantly evaluate the relationship between them

    Associated with specific outcome:
  • Define the structure, role and function of the international measurement system.
  • Explain the derivation of accuracy traceability from SI units.
  • Explain the relationship between the international measurement system and quality systems. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively, using visual, mathematical and / or language skills in the modes of oral and / or written presentations.
    Note: The appropriate communication with laboratory management and personnel with regard to understanding of the function of the international measurement system, derivation of accuracy traceability and the relationship between the international measurement system and quality systems, will indicate his/her proficiency in effective communication - Secific outcome 1, 2 AND 3. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
    Note: This critical outcome is not addressed in any of these specific outcomes. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
    Note: The ability of the candidate to understand the inter relationship between standards, traceability and quality systems and their effect on global activities.

    Associated with specific outcome:
  • Define the structure, role and function of the international measurement system.
  • Explain the derivation of accuracy traceability from SI units.
  • Explain the relationship between the international measurement system and quality systems. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    Notes to assessors

    Assessors should keep the following principles in mind when designing and conducting assessments against this unit standard:
  • Focus the assessment activities on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcome expressed in the title to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Remember we want to declare the person competent in terms of the title. Where assessment at title level is unmanageable, then focus assessment around each specific outcome, or groups of specific outcomes.
  • Make sure evidence is gathered across the entire range, wherever it applies. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to show the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
  • Do not focus the assessment activities on each assessment criterion. Rather make sure the assessment activities focus on outcomes and are sufficient to enable evidence to be gathered around all the assessment criteria.
  • The assessment criteria provide the specifications against which assessment judgements should be made. In most cases, knowledge can be inferred from the quality of the performances, but in other cases, knowledge and understanding will have to be tested through questioning techniques. Where this is required, there will be assessment criteria to specify the standard required.
  • The task of the assessor is to gather sufficient evidence, of the prescribed type and quality, as specified in this unit standard, that the candidate can achieve the outcomes again and again and again. This means assessors will have to judge how many repeat performances are required before they believe the performance is reproducible.
  • All assessments should be conducted in line with the following well documented principles of assessment: appropriateness, fairness, manageability, integration into work or learning, validity, direct, authentic, sufficient, systematic, open and consistent.

    Unit standard justification

    1. Level

    Attribute-Level
    Applied Competence-5
    Autonomy of learning-5

    Actual Level Assigned: 5


    2. Credits

    Total hours required by the learner to achieve the required outcome:

    Activity-Hours
    Classroom Teaching-10
    On-The-Job Training--
    Mentoring required--
    Other (Specify)--
    Total-10

    Credits Assigned: 1 
    		•

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  57228   National Certificate: Metrology  Level 5  Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L5  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  EWSETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.