Editing Metrology (section)

== {{anchor|Societal impact}}Impacts ==
Metrology has wide-ranging impacts on a number of sectors, including economics, energy, the environment, health, manufacturing, industry, and consumer confidence.<ref name="MSC">{{cite web|title=Metrology for Society's Challenges|url=https://www.euramet.org/metrology-for-societys-challenges/|publisher=EURAMET|access-date=9 March 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312083228/https://www.euramet.org/metrology-for-societys-challenges/|archive-date=12 March 2017}}</ref><ref name="AusEconomy">{{cite book|last1=Robertson|first1=Kristel|last2=Swanepoel|first2=Jan A.|title=The economics of metrology|date=September 2015|publisher=Australian Government, Department of Industry, Innovation and Science|url=https://industry.gov.au/Office-of-the-Chief-Economist/Research-Papers/Documents/2015-Research-Paper-6-The-economics-of-metrology.pdf|access-date=9 March 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307031140/http://www.industry.gov.au/Office-of-the-Chief-Economist/Research-Papers/Documents/2015-Research-Paper-6-The-economics-of-metrology.pdf|archive-date=7 March 2016}}</ref> The effects of metrology on trade and the economy are two of its most-apparent societal impacts. To facilitate fair and accurate trade between countries, there must be an agreed-upon system of measurement.<ref name="AusEconomy"/> Accurate measurement and regulation of water, fuel, food, and electricity are critical for [[consumer protection]] and promote the flow of goods and services between trading partners.<ref name="LegalMetImpact">{{cite journal|last1=Rodrigues Filho|first1=Bruno A.|last2=Gonçalves|first2=Rodrigo F.|title=Legal metrology, the economy and society: A systematic literature review|journal=Measurement|date=June 2015|volume=69|pages=155–163|doi=10.1016/j.measurement.2015.03.028|bibcode=2015Meas...69..155R}}</ref> A common measurement system and quality standards benefit consumer and producer; production at a common standard reduces cost and consumer risk, ensuring that the product meets consumer needs.<ref name="AusEconomy"/> Transaction costs are reduced through an increased [[Economies of scale|economy of scale]]. Several studies have indicated that increased standardisation in measurement has a positive impact on [[Gross domestic product|GDP]]. In the United Kingdom, an estimated 28.4 per cent of GDP growth from 1921 to 2013 was the result of standardisation; in Canada between 1981 and 2004 an estimated nine per cent of GDP growth was standardisation-related, and in Germany the annual economic benefit of standardisation is an estimated 0.72% of GDP.<ref name="AusEconomy"/>

Legal metrology has reduced accidental deaths and injuries with measuring devices, such as [[radar gun]]s and [[breathalyzer]]s, by improving their efficiency and reliability.<ref name="LegalMetImpact"/> Measuring the human body is challenging, with poor [[repeatability]] and [[reproducibility]], and advances in metrology help develop new techniques to improve health care and reduce costs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Metrology for Society's Challenges – Metrology for Health|url=https://www.euramet.org/metrology-for-societys-challenges/metrology-for-health/|publisher=EURAMET|access-date=9 March 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312083223/https://www.euramet.org/metrology-for-societys-challenges/metrology-for-health/|archive-date=12 March 2017}}</ref> Environmental policy is based on research data, and accurate measurements are important for assessing [[climate change]] and environmental regulation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Metrology for Society's Challenges – Metrology for Environment|url=https://www.euramet.org/metrology-for-societys-challenges/metrology-for-environment/|publisher=EURAMET|access-date=9 March 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312083340/https://www.euramet.org/metrology-for-societys-challenges/metrology-for-environment/|archive-date=12 March 2017}}</ref> Aside from regulation, metrology is essential in supporting innovation, the ability to measure provides a technical infrastructure and tools that can then be used to pursue further innovation. By providing a technical platform which new ideas can be built upon, easily demonstrated, and shared, measurement standards allow new ideas to be explored and expanded upon.<ref name="AusEconomy"/>