{"id":"F2009B00183","name":"National Measurement Act 1960 - Determination by the National Standards Commission - Recognized-Value Standard of Measurement of Velocity - Electromagnetic Waves in a Vacuum","slug":"f2009b00183","collection":"legislative_instrument","jurisdiction":"commonwealth","status":"repealed","isInForce":false,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":326825,"registerId":"commonwealth-F2009B00183-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-08","status":"Repealed","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"National Measurement Act 1960 - Determination by the National Standards Commission - Recognized-Value Standard of Measurement of Velocity - Electromagnetic Waves in a Vacuum","content":"---\nmeta-content-style-type: text/css\nmeta-content-type: application/xhtml+xml; charset=utf-8\nmeta-generator: Aspose.Words for .NET 20.2\ntitle: NATIONAL MEASUREMENT ACT 1960\n---\n\n?xml version=\"1.0\" encoding=\"utf-8\" standalone=\"no\"?>\n\nnational measurement act 1960\n\n \n\ndetermination by the national standards commission\n\n \n\n \n\nRecognized-Value Standard of Measurement\n\nof Velocity\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nIn pursuance of paragraph 8A(1)(a) of the National Measurement Act 1960, the National Standards Commission hereby determines that the magnitude of the velocity of electromagnetic waves in vacuum shall be a recognized-value standard of measurement having an exact value of 299 792 458 m.s-1.\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nDated this 21st day of March 1985\n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\n \n\nThe common seal of the national     T.J. PETRY\n\nstandards commission was hereto\n\naffixed by authority of the Commission\n\nin the presence of\n\n \n\n \n","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"kimi_summary":{"_metrics":{"model":"kimi-k2.5","source":"moonshot-batch","completionTokens":1289},"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":1,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The determination maintains its original narrow scope of fixing the exact numerical value for the speed of light as a measurement standard. It has not expanded beyond this single technical definition."},"complexity_factors":["Single sentence of operative text containing the entire legal effect","No defined terms or interpretation section","Only one cross-reference (to the empowering provision in the parent Act)","No conditional logic, exceptions, or procedural requirements"],"plain_english_summary":"**What this does:** This law sets the official Australian standard for the speed of light.\n\n**The exact value:** It declares that the speed of electromagnetic waves (like light and radio waves) traveling through a vacuum is exactly **299,792,458 metres per second**. This is a \"recognized-value standard,\" meaning it is a fixed, unchangeable reference point used for all official measurements in Australia.\n\n**Why it matters:** By fixing this number exactly, scientists, engineers, and manufacturers ensure their instruments, GPS systems, telecommunications equipment, and scientific calculations are consistent and legally traceable to national standards.\n\n**Who it affects:** Primarily scientific institutions, calibration laboratories, and high-tech industries that rely on precise electromagnetic measurements."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/f2009b00183","history":"/api/acts/f2009b00183/history","analysis":"/api/acts/f2009b00183/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/f2009b00183/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/f2009b00183/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/f2009b00183/documents"}}