KIOST accredited as an internationally approved calibration laboratory

This represents a green light for improving the quality of ocean science and locally producing measuring equipment

The Republic of Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology (President: Jung Keuk Kang) has announced that the Republic of Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme administered by the Korean Agency of Technology and Standards (KATS), which is affiliated with the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, has given it accreditation as an internationally approved calibration laboratory in the fields of temperature and pressure.

Up until recently, users have experienced many inconveniences such as having to send abroad measuring equipment with sensors attached？CTDs, tide gages, and wave-height meters？to get it calibrated for accurate ocean observations. Now they can easily have such equipment calibrated in Republic of Korea.

Accurately measuring ocean water temperatures is a difficult task and needs highly calibrated equipment. Ocean temperatures range from -5℃to 35℃ and must be precisely measured to 0.001℃. In addition, pressure sensors need to be able to measure from the ocean surface to depths of up to 7,000 meters with high precision. With such requirements, the calibration of ocean sensors is very different from the calibration of sensors used for land measurements.

A few countries including the US, Germany, and the UK monopolize ocean measure markets because of their calibration capabilities. However, as KIOST now has been accredited internationally for its calibration capability, it need not rely on overseas technology and can greatly contribute to the local development of ocean measurement equipment and the improvement of existing processes.

KIOST’s calibration service will not be confined to temperature and pressure measurements. It plans to expand its service to include the measuring of electrical conduction fields. It will also push ahead with getting international accreditation in measuring ocean standard reference materials such as salts, nutrient salts, and trace metals.

A staff member at KIOST stated that its ability to calibrate ocean measurement equipment will enable Republic of Korea's ocean-related information to be more highly recognized in the international community. Also, KIOST will continue to work on new technologies to gain more international accreditations, which will in turn contribute to enhancing Korean technology and equipment production in the related-industries.

Calibration laboratory in the fields of temperature and pressure at the Republic of Korea Institute of Ocean Science & Technology