NPL成立于1900年，用于“标准化和验证仪器，测试材料和确定物理常数”。我们是世界上最古老的标准化实验室之一。
现在，我们已成为世界一流的卓越中心，保持英国的主要衡量标准，同时提供创新，以改善居住在英国的人们的繁荣和生活质量。自我们成立以来近120年，我们仍然忠于我们的核心使命。
自成立以来，NPL的研究工作已涵盖物理，光，电和磁，无线电通信，工程，冶金，航空和船舶设计的所有分支。世界上一些最重要的创新起源于NPL，包括雷达;分组交换，互联网的先驱;ACE 计算机;和铯原子钟。

NPL是英国国家计量研究所，负责制定和维护国家主要测量标准。它是商业，能源和工业战略部（BEIS）拥有的公共公司。它与BEIS，斯特拉斯克莱德大学和萨里大学签订了合作协议。NPL是国家测量系统（NMS）的一部分，该系为英国提供了国家测量基础设施，并代表BEIS提供英国测量战略。

NPL was founded in 1900 to "standardize and validate instruments, test materials and determine physical constants". We are one of the oldest standardization laboratories in the world.
We are now a world-class centre of excellence, maintaining the UK's key yardsticks while delivering innovations to improve the prosperity and quality of life of those living in the UK. Nearly 120 years since our founding, we remain true to our core mission.
Since its inception, NPL's research work has covered all branches of physics, optical, electrical and magnetic, radio communications, engineering, metallurgy, aviation and ship design. Some of the world's most important innovations originated in NPL, including radar; Packet switching, the precursor of the Internet; ACE computer; And cesium atomic clocks.

NPL is the UK's national Metrology Institute, responsible for developing and maintaining the country's main measurement standards. It is a public company owned by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). It has partnership agreements with BEIS, Strathclyde University and Surrey University. NPL is part of the National Surveying System (NMS), which provides the NATIONAL surveying infrastructure for the UK and provides the UK surveying strategy on behalf of BEIS.