What is measurement traceability and measurement uncertainty?

To explain the concept of traceability, take an equal arm balance as an example. You put the load on one pan and calibrated weight pieces on the other until equilibrium is reached. To ensure the same result with other sets of weights at other locations, traceable calibrated weight pieces are needed. Traceability means that the calibration can be traced back to the international standard, in the case of mass and weights up to the international kg prototype. The kg prototype is realized by a cylinder of platinum-iridium kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in Sevres, near Paris, France. Copies of this prototype serve as national mass standards and are maintained at national metrology institutes.

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