A generation ago two separate disciplines set out to deal with important scientific problems associated with multivariate data processing and with measurement uncertainty, neither of which were handled in a satisfactory manner by classical statistics. Since then mature scientific tools have developed under the names of chemometrics and metrology, however more or less independently of each other. Today's challenge is to stimulate interaction between these two important fields of science, and this lecture will present examples on areas, where such efforts are most urgently needed.

In 2008 the Bureau Internationale des Poids et Mesures issued a completely new vocabulary covering terminology to be used in metrology for many years to come; it presents definitions of metrological concepts to clarify exactly what is meant by various terms. The most significant changes from previous terminology will be presented and discussed in relation to terms currently used in chemometrics.

Co-operation between chemometrics and metrology to ascertain mutual understanding is a condition for further scientific development of both these important disciplines.