Analysis of a regional metrology organization key comparison: Preliminary consistency check of the linking-laboratory data with the CIPM key comparison reference value

The validation of the data reported by linking laboratories in a regional metrology organization (RMO) key comparison (KC) is discussed in this study. The linking laboratories are the laboratories that participate in both the RMO KC and the corresponding International Committee of Weights and Measures (CIPM) KC. Even though the main purpose of an RMO KC is the performance evaluation of the non-linking laboratories, it is required that the data from linking laboratories are reliable to analyze an RMO KC data for that purpose. The validation is implemented through statistical testing. Results of simulation show that the influence of correlation is not marginal. Since correlation is not generally considered in the analysis of a single KC, the proposed testing can be used in the RMO KC as a preliminary analysis before the performance evaluation.