Regional Instrument Centres

Regional Instrument Centres (RICs) play a key role in implementation of the WMO strategy for traceability assurance, thus contributing to the Vision for WIGOS in 2040 (Resolution 38 (Cg-18)) and more specifically to the Vision for the future of environmental measurements (Resolution 5 (CIMO-17)). RICs are established to maintain relevant calibration standards and assist Members in calibrating their national meteorological and related environmental standards and monitoring instruments.

The concept of RICs dates back to 1985 when the concept of RICs with full and basic capabilities was established by CIMO-IX and later updated in 2006 at CIMO-XIV. The concept was simplified in 2018 to a RIC single type concept, with the terms of reference as listed below (Recommendation 2 (CIMO-17)).

In order to continually strengthen RICs, EC-73 endorsed the Process for designation, assessment, and reconfirmation of RICs. Regional associations are responsible to assess the needs of their Members for RIC services, and to designate RICs accordingly, while INFCOM is responsible to perform the regular technical evaluation of RIC performances and assessment of RIC applications (as clarified by EC-76).

In support of the regular assessment, RICs are expected to report on their activities annually and to conduct self-assessments every four years. RICs are invited to use the Java-based assessment and reporting tool (including the RIC reporting forms and RIC evaluation schemes) available here: Java-assessment

The RIC annual reports can be accessed at the RIC webpages below. These links also provide the contact details of each RIC, information of their capabilities and on the services that they offer to Members.

Location of RICs by WMO Regional Association

RA I
Algiers (Algeria)
Gaborone (Botswana)
Cairo (Egypt)
Nairobi (Kenya)
Casablanca (Morocco)

RA II
Beijing (China)*
Tsukuba (Japan)*

RA III
Buenos Aires (Argentina)

RA IV
Bridgetown (Barbados)

RA V
Melbourne (Australia)*
Manila (Philippines)*

RA VI
Toulouse (France)
Hamburg/Oberschleissheim (Germany)*
Bratislava (Slovakia)*
Ljubljana (Slovenia)*
Ankara (Turkey)*

* - RIC is accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025.

Terms of Reference

Regional Instrument Centres shall have the following capabilities to carry out their corresponding functions:

Capabilities:

An RIC shall have the necessary facilities and laboratory equipment to perform the functions necessary for the calibration of meteorological and related environmental instruments;
An RIC shall maintain a set of meteorological standard instruments and establish the traceability of its own measurement standards and measuring instruments to the International System of Units (SI);
An RIC shall have competent managerial and technical staff to fulfil its functions;
An RIC shall have technical procedures for calibration of meteorological and related environmental instruments using calibration equipment employed by the RIC;
An RIC shall have and maintain a quality management system, preferably according to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard;
An RIC shall participate in, and/or organize inter-laboratory comparisons of standard calibration instruments and methods;
An RIC shall, as appropriate, utilize the available resources and capabilities to the Members’ best interest;
An RIC shall, as far as possible, apply international standards applicable for calibration laboratories, such as ISO/IEC 17025 standard¹;
An RIC shall ensure it is assessed by a recognized authority or by a WMO evaluation team, at least every four years, to verify its capabilities and performance.

Corresponding Functions:

An RIC shall assist Members of the Region, and possibly of other Regions, in calibrating their national meteorological standards and related environmental monitoring instruments;
An RIC shall participate in, and/or organize, inter-laboratory comparisons, and support instrument intercomparisons following relevant WMO recommendations;
According to relevant recommendations on the WMO Quality Management Framework, an RIC shall make a positive contribution to Members regarding the quality of measurements;
An RIC shall advise Members on enquiries regarding instrument performance, maintenance and the availability of relevant guidance materials;
An RIC shall actively participate, or assist, in the organization of workshops on calibration and maintenance of meteorological and related environmental instruments;
An RIC shall contribute to the standardization of meteorological and related environmental measurements;
An RIC shall conduct or support the regular assessment of Members’ needs for RIC services;
An RIC shall regularly inform Members and report, on an annual basis, to the WMO Secretariat on the services offered to Members and activities carried out.

¹ For calibrating one or more of the following variables: temperature, humidity, pressure or others specified by the Region.