Almost all countries in the world have regulations on the use of units, measures, weights and measuring instruments. These stem from the governmental care for fair trade, safety, health and environment.

National government
In all developed countries the principal responsibility for metrology lays with the central government.

European Commission
Directives issued by the European Commission have to be fully implemented in the national legislations within the EU.

Standardization organizations
European standards play an important role in the European Conformity Assessment schemes.