CENTERS FOR METROLOGY, STANDARDIZATION AND CERTIFICATION IN UKRAINE: HISTORY AND PROSPECTS (Tsentry metrolohiyi, standartyzatsiyi i sertyfikatsiyi v Ukrayini: istoriya stvorennya i perspektyvy)

The significance of centers for metrology, standardization and certification in Ukraine, created in the beginning of of century, is shown, with brief reference to the role of the Russian scientist D.Mendeleyev as the author of the project of the Chief Chamber of Measures and Weights in Russia. An analysis of literary sources and documentary materials is carried out, confirming the importance of the centers in meeting the products' standards, including high quality ones, and in formulating the legal base in the field. The analysis covers the period since the rise of the centers till their institutional establishment and enhancement. Detailed account is given about the significance and performance such centers in the cities of Kiev (public enterprise 'Ukrmetrteststandart'), Kharkov (public enterprise 'Kharkivstandartmetrologuiya'), Dnepropetrovsk (public enterprise 'Dniprostandartmetrologuiya'), Odessa (public enterprise 'Odesastandartmetrologuiya'), Lvov (the Institute for Measuring and Controlling Systems). The nomenclature of relevant Ukrainian regulatory acts is given.