{"id":52299,"date":"2026-04-24T08:29:49","date_gmt":"2026-04-24T06:29:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.wika.com\/en\/?p=52299"},"modified":"2026-04-24T08:29:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-24T06:29:49","slug":"digital-calibration-certificate-dcc-the-revolution-in-metrology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.wika.com\/en\/know-how\/digital-calibration-certificate-dcc-the-revolution-in-metrology\/","title":{"rendered":"Digital calibration certificate (DCC): Revolutionising metrology"},"content":{"rendered":"

Measurement technology is undergoing a profound change. Where paper and PDF documents used to be the norm, the digital calibration certificate (DCC) will set new standards. But what does this term, which is cropping up more and more often, actually mean? And why is the DCC considered the key to the digital transformation of metrology? In this blog post, you will find out what a DCC is, how it works and what opportunities it offers.<\/strong><\/p>\n

What is a digital calibration certificate?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A digital calibration certificate is the digital equivalent of a traditional calibration certificate. While traditional certificates are available as paper documents or in PDF format and are interpreted by humans, the DCC goes one step further by being fully machine-readable. Essentially, it is a smart XML data object that can be processed using software. This opens up new possibilities for automation, quality assurance and integration into digital ecosystems.<\/p>\n

Technical basics: What does DCC involve?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The DCC is based on an internationally agreed XML schema. This schema not only specifies exactly what information must be included, but also how it should be named and structured. This ensures that every DCC \u2013 regardless of the issuing laboratory \u2013 is clearly readable by software. The schema is supplemented by the D-SI metadata model, which ensures that measured values and units, together with their context, can be interpreted unambiguously. Security is ensured by a digital signature. This guarantees the authenticity and integrity of the data \u2013 and thus replaces a paper stamp or a handwritten signature.<\/p>\n

Accredited and non-accredited DCCs: Uniformity through structure<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Calibration certificates are issued worldwide by both accredited and non-accredited laboratories. The international DCC community is in agreement that both variants must be structurally identical. Only in this way can software interpret and process DCC data universally, regardless of the laboratory, country or measurand. Different structures would result in incompatible DCC environments and undermine the key benefit \u2013 interoperability.<\/p>\n

Opportunities offered by DCC: Efficiency, transparency and security<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The DCC marks the beginning of a new era in calibration processes. The benefits go far beyond the simple digitalisation of a document:<\/p>\n