The Workshop on Regional Instrument Centre Concepts in Beijing, China (17-19 November 2025)
The workshop on regional instrument centre concepts was successfully held as a hybrid event in Beijing, China, from 17 to 19 November 2025, kindly hosted by the China Meteorological Administration (CMA). This three-day event organized by INFCOM Standing Committee on Measurements, Instrumentation and Traceability (SC-MINT) marked a significant milestone in shaping the future of regional instrument centres, aiming to provide WMO Members with more efficient services and guidance through RICs on traceability assurance, as well as on the operation of instruments and observing systems.
1) Purpose of the workshop
The workshop was driven by the evolving needs of WMO Members for calibration services that can be provided by Regional Instrument Centres. SC-MINT, taking into account the requirements and demands of Members, organized this workshop to review and update the RIC concepts, ensuring better alignment with Members’ needs.
2) Discussions and Outcomes
Discussions focused on Members’ needs related to the calibration and maintenance of instruments and observing systems, how to address these requirements as well as the provision of guidance and training on the operation of these systems.
The workshop reviewed the existing concepts of the Regional Instrument Centres (RICs) , Regional Marine Instrument Centres (RMICs) and Regional Radiation Centres (RRCs,) and discussed how to meet Members’ requirements for services provided by regional instrument centres.
It was proposed that the current three separate concepts for RICs, RMICs, and RRCs should be replaced by a single, unified concept that provides a scalable and generic framework. This new framework would pave a way for cross regional synergies and accommodate centres dedicated to different variables (e.g., RIC(Surface), RIC(Surface & Radiation), RIC(Hydro)).
A draft unified concept defining the capacities and functions of RICs has been prepared and will be shared with relevant entities (RICs, RMICs, RRCs, Regional Associations) for feedback before submission to INFCOM-4 .
The workshop also developed recommendations on accreditation requirements according to ISO/IEC 17025 for at least one variable, regular assessment and reconfirmation of RICs, strengthening collaboration among RICs, and ensuring effective liaison with Members.
The workshop concluded with the adoption of a concrete action plan, including timelines for adoption and implementation of the new concept, plans for a simplified mechanism for regular monitoring of RICs, and a plan for reviewing and testing the new concept over the next four years.
3) Visiting RIC Beijing
The workshop participants had the opportunity to visit the calibration facilities of RIC Beijing. They expressed high appreciation for the facilities at CMA, particularly the demonstration of the fully automated robotic calibration system.
