Introduction
Every month, we send out a newsletter containing industry news, guidance on helping you to achieve the highest level of compliance, and a little bit about what’s been going on behind the scenes at the UK Metrology Board.
Below you can find some key takeaways to keep you updated, and you can see whether this is something you would like to receive directly in your inbox. Read on to find out:
- About the UK based Manufacturing Made Smarter Programmes Funding Boost.
- Our key takeaways from the Columbus Report on Global Manufacturing
- Our tips to help you remain compliant between audits.
- The UK Metrology Board in numbers.
Industry News
The Government’s Made Smarter Programme Gets a Funding Boost
The Government’s Made Smarter Programme was first trialled in the North West in 2019. It was designed to give SME’s in the manufacturing and technology sectors the funding, skills and support they needed to grow using Digital Tools and Innovation. The programme was extended to cover 9 UK regions in 2024.
The programme was extended to cover the Greater London area on 1st April 2025, and it has recently been announced that an additional £2.5 million worth of funding has been secured to support growth and drive innovation within the Greater London Area.
If you are a London-based manufacturer or want to find out more about how the Made Support Programme can support your business, you can read more about it by clicking here.
The Columbus Report on the Future of Global Manufacturing
Earlier this year, Columbus published a report entitled C: The Shift Redefining Global Manufacturing. The report covers the Global challenges that unify the manufacturing sector regardless of region, size or product and answers the important question. ‘Amongst all the noise about AI, Automation and Data…what is important and what should we do first?’
Our key takeaways from the report are:
1) Invest in your data: A competitive edge and a sustainable business rely on accurate data and constant measurement to improve the production process. This is increasingly being carried out by machines, but for these new systems and processes to be as accurate as possible. The people involved in them need to understand the process and how it can make their job easier.
2) Good Processes are Fundamental: Automation is becoming more key to success, but for it to be successful, it needs to be mapped out before automation is implemented to save costs and avoid creating unnecessary work.
3) It’s about People, not just Algorithms: Culture is key, and algorithms don’t factor in human behaviour, holidays and external factors that impact productivity. It’s key to ask the right questions of your people and create a positive culture that paves the way for success.
4) AI needs to be adopted, but it also needs to build for the Future: AI isn’t going anywhere; there is a need to redefine and understand how it impacts your manufacturing process. For many manufacturers, AI is being added to existing systems rather than being used to future-proof production and prepare businesses for the future.
3) The need for better Interoperability: Organisations and the manufacturing sector as a whole need to have systems that can actually talk to each other, which will prevent data breaches, improve the supply chain and allow for more streamlined systems and processes globally and locally – businesses need to work together.
We found the report to be a really interesting and informative read, and with the upcoming revisions to ISO 9001 due to come into place in September 2026, we would advise focusing on documenting and improving your systems and processes to ensure you are ready for what the future brings.
You can read the full report here.
UKMB News & Advice
How to Remain Compliant Between Audits
Over the past few months, we have shared several reports and papers that highlight the need for you to invest in your systems and processes to create a sustainable business, have the competitive edge and improve customer loyalty. As a UK-based Conformity Assessment Body, our role is to help you to do just that; we aim to help you remain compliant with the standards set out in your certification at all times.
Your initial certification kick-starts a 3-year certification cycle during which time you will undergo an annual surveillance audit to ensure your weighing and measuring equipment adheres to the standards set out in your certification.
To help you achieve and maintain the highest level of compliance, we:
- Supply you with a detailed audit plan- so you know exactly what to expect from your audit and can prepare everyone in advance.
- Put you in direct contact with your auditor as soon as the audit plan is approved, to ensure you can easily get the answer to any questions you might have in advance.
- Get in contact with you 3 months before your surveillance audit is due, so you can be safe in the knowledge it’s all booked in and you have plenty of time to prepare.
Remaining Compliant Between Audits is also key; you can do this by:
- Performing both regular and routine in-service checks on all your equipment to ensure accuracy and precision.
- Conducting performance and repeatability tests to ensure results are consistent.
- Maintaining up-to-date, centralised records for each piece of equipment and using systems that provide an audit trail.
- Ensuring you develop and implement Standard Operating Procedures so everyone involved understands how to handle and use the equipment.
- Conducting regular training sessions and reviews to ensure everyone understands how to maintain compliance and is updated on any regulatory or technological changes.
If you would like to find out more about achieving certification for your Quality Management Systems, becoming an Approved Verifier, or want to check that you are adhering to the standards set out in your certification, then we are here for you. You can reach us at 01727 582023, email us at info@ukmb.org or visit our application page.
The UK Metrology Board in Numbers
We turned 4 last month, a significant number in Metrology, but also, as it turns out, a significant milestone for us due to the volume of growth we have been fortunate enough to experience in the last year.
So, rather than our usual monthly meet the team, we thought we would share some key facts about our growth over the past 4 years.
1) Since our UKAS accreditation was granted in March 2023, we have conducted over 110 audits.
2) We offer 9 certifications, covering the following modules and standards: ISO 9001, UKCA and CE+UKNI, covering the following Modules and Standards.
- NAWI Module D & Module D1
- MIR Module A2, Module D, Module D1, Module E1
- Weights & Measures Act 1985, Section 11A.
3) We now have the most clients for the Weights & Measures Act 1985, Section 11A (Approved Verifiers), with 31 companies out of a potential 37, meaning we have an 84% market share.
4) UKMB now has approx. 47 Approved Manufacturers, NAWI and MIR clients out of a potential 139, meaning we have a 33.8% share of the market.
5) Our Technical Advisors have more than 85 years of combined experience in the field of legal metrology.
6) We currently have 5 Auditors, 3 of whom also work as Trading Standards Officers.
If you would like to find out more about achieving certification for your weighing and measuring instruments, you can submit your application via our dedicated application page.