European Union Partnership on Metrology
European Union ambassadors have given their support to the political agreement reached with the European Parliament on 28 September 2021 on the European partnership on metrology. The partnership is one of the priority areas in the package of proposals for institutionalised European partnerships under Horizon Europe. This endorsement brings the finalisation of the partnerships package a step closer
The main elements contained in the provisionally agreed text include that EURAMET (the European association of national metrology institutes) will ensure the implementation of the metrology partnership by managing the EU’s financial contribution. This contribution will be up to €300 million.
In general, by 2030, the partnership on metrology aims to:
Develop new research capabilities within the framework of new European metrology networks
Support sales of new innovative products and services through the use and adoption of new metrology capabilities in emerging technologies
Contribute to the design and implementation of specific standards and regulations
The proposal for a European partnership on metrology is part of the package of three proposals on institutionalised European partnerships under Horizon Europe, the framework programme for research and innovation for the period 2021 to 2027.
The proposal for a decision on the European partnership on metrology was submitted by the European Commission on 23 February 2021. The Council’s mandate for interinstitutional negotiations was agreed on by Coreper on 23 June 2021.
The EP’s ITRE Committee will vote on the file on 14 October, and the plenary vote on first reading is scheduled for mid-November. After that, the file goes back to the Council for confirmation, followed by signing and publication.
The proposal includes the following text extract:
Our global competitors are making these strategic investments because of the growing need for metrology solutions targeting emerging technologies and new product development. Moreover, the increase in societal challenges requiring trustworthy standards and regulations makes it urgent to address the lack of embedment of metrology in the innovation system at European level.
To maintain Europe’s competitive leadership in emerging technologies and new product development and in ensuring a forward-looking approach to trustworthy standards and regulations that anticipate societal challenges, it is essential that the European Metrology Initiative ensures that by 2030 metrology solutions in Europe are at least equal to the top global performers, in demonstrating world class in providing metrology services for existing, complex measurement challenges and new technologies.
This should be achieved through specialised pan-European networks that pool resources to attain a critical mass of capabilities. These metrology solutions should support sales of new innovative products and services by adopting and using key emerging technologies. The solutions should also contribute to the effective design and implementation of specific standards and regulations that underpin public policies addressing societal challenges.
For more information: European Commission proposal for a decision on the European partnership on metrology
