The gateway to Europe's
integrated metrology community.

EURAMET 2030 Strategy


EURAMET is the Regional Metrology Organisation for Europe, securing world-wide trust and acceptance of European measurements. Metrology, the science of measurement, underpins all domains of science, technology and innovation, and is a key enabler for a modern, healthy society and business.

While EURAMET’s core mission remains stable, we are at the same time responding to and fostering new technological and societal challenges. Based on world class science and close cooperation with stakeholders we are further developing a balanced, well integrated European infrastructure where our member institutes can fulfil their ambitions and we all serve customers, policy makers and societies.

Our Vision & Mission

Our vision is to lead the development and application of measurement science enabling Europe to be competitive, healthy and sustainable through innovation.

 

Mission:
 
  • Develop and maintain an appropriate, integrated and cost-effective measurement infrastructure for Europe aligned to the needs of society and industry
     
  • Ensure that the European measurement infrastructure is internationally competitive and recognised, and is based on world-class R&D
     
  • Support policy and decision makers where metrology is key
     
  • Support members in meeting their national requirements through collaboration and a balanced European measurement infrastructure

Engaging Stakeholders for Mutual Benefit

The requirements for investment in the future of the European measurement infrastructure will always far outstrip the resources available from governments to fund it. It is important that EURAMET and European NMIs and DIs understand and prioritise investment needs in the European measurement infrastructure to address the present and future priorities of economy, government and society.

 

EURAMET maintains links with many key users of the measurement infrastructure. It has established several European Metrology Networks (EMN) to strengthen existing and establish new relationships in priority application areas. In addition, a first network focuses on smart specialisation in a specific region – things our members can achieve in cooperation with their close neighbours. Through EMNs EURAMET will foster stakeholder involvement, to better understand existing metrology needs and to anticipate future requirements.

 

Key for successful stakeholder engagement is to broaden the understanding of EURAMET’s work and the benefits of its achievements for society by effective communication. This will support the increased uptake and impact of metrology research results, and thus secure future support for metrology.


Our goal is to

  • Foster stakeholder dialogue and develop longterm partnerships
  • Understand existing stakeholder needs, identify trends and anticipate future needs
  • Increase the impact of our work through take-up by stakeholders
  • Position EURAMET as the indispensable and reliable partner for any enquiry regarding the European measurement infrastructure

 

In pursuing these goals, we have

  • Established Memoranda of Understanding with sister organisations
  • Established several European Metrology Networks
  • Established a stakeholder engagement plan

 

In the next few years, we will

  • Complete the landscape of EMNs and operate them as the primary tool for stakeholder involvement
  • Manage actively the engagement with stakeholders, such as European Partnerships under Horizon Europe
  • Develop further tools to facilitate knowledge transfer
  • Raise the understanding of the benefits of metrology and EURAMET’s and its members’ contributions to society by customised communication
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Supporting Joint Research and Development

EURAMET has worked successfully with the European Commission over the last 15 years to deliver coordination and collaboration in metrology. The previous European Metrology Research Programme (EMRP) and the nearly completed European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR) have involved twenty-eight European countries and delivered social, economic and scientific impacts.

 

One example is the redefinition of four of the seven base units of the International System of Units (SI) in 2019, linking them to fundamental constants, enabled by several joint metrology research projects.

 

EURAMET is taking it to the next level with the launch of the European Partnership on Metrology.

With a thematic scope similar to EMPIR, it will include two new strategic objectives: the establishment of a sustainable, coordinated and integrated European metrology infrastructure and a systematic coverage of metrology needs from regulation. The objectives and challenges described above – the Green Deal with its need for multidisciplinary approaches, digital transformation, the consequences of the SI redefinition – will be strong drivers of the research agenda of the European Partnership on Metrology, including increased collaboration with research institutes, academia, industry and other stakeholders. Such growing collaboration, focussed on these drivers, will also be the basis for additional access to other research funding.

 

Our goal is to

  • Continue to deliver world-class fundamental metrology research and develop our core competences underpinning all further applied research, standards and services;
  • Align the overall metrology research agenda to new challenges associated to the EU Green Deal, digital transformation, regulation, redefined SI units and provide metrology research responding to industrial and societal needs;
  • Develop integrated, self-sustaining European metrology infrastructures

 

In pursuing these goals, we have
Successfully implemented European Metrology Research Programmes and achieved the desired impact on the European and global stage
Started to establish European Metrology Networks

 

In the next few years, we will

  • Strengthen research collaboration through European Metrology Networks
  • Implement the European Partnership on Metrology
  • Build our capability to access research funding outside the Partnership
  • Build joint integrated internationally leading NMI and DI capabilities and infrastructures
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Advancing Europe's Quality Infrastructure

The quality infrastructure (QI) consists of four pillars: metrology, standardisation, accreditation and conformity assessment. Metrology provides reliable and recognised measurements by assuring traceability to the SI under the mechanisms of the Metre Convention and may be considered as the most fundamental pillar of any national QI system.

 

Due to the relevance of metrology for standardisation, accreditation and conformity assessment, metrology institutes are often active and competent in those areas too and respond to needs from standardisation and regulation through EURAMET’s metrology research programmes as well as services, collaboration in committees and policy advice.

 

The most important mechanism under the Metre Convention is the Mutual Recognition Arrangement, an agreement between NMI Directors defining the conditions under which they recognise calibration results from other NMIs as equivalent to their own. This underpins the technical competence of the signatory NMIs and DIs through comparisons and the efficient review of quality management systems. The work of EURAMET’s Technical Committees has a strong focus on the requirements of the arrangement and is a core function of EURAMET.

 

The digital capability of measurement equipment is continuously evolving. Data generation, processing, transmission and storage becomes more and more digital; complex sensor networks require systemic approaches, and algorithms based on methods of artificial intelligence and machine learning require completely new methods for quality assurance of measurement results. These developments are not only relevant for metrology, but are key for many regulations and standardisation.

 

All these challenges and opportunities can only be met and utilised by intense research and development and well-coordinated joint approaches of the metrology institutes. The EMNs are the key drivers for coordination, the interaction with stakeholders and the connection of metrology R&D with regulation and standardisation.

 

The redefinition of the SI units enabled and requires developments and modifications of national measurement standards, as the primary methods have changed. Some of the new primary methods are adapted to and introduced into commercially available measuring instruments and systems. In these applications the need for standard calibrations, at NMIs and DIs or calibration laboratories, will change and the institutes must adapt.

 

In view of the global dimension of trade, climate and environmental issues, it is in the interest of Europe that QI systems are functional in all countries around the world. NMIs can contribute through the BIPM and technical cooperation projects supported by the relevant European, and national funding agencies. An effective international quality infrastructure can enhance fair trade, transparency of decision making, the
industrial renewal of Europe and European sovereignty in key supply chains.

 

Our goal is to

  • Improve efficiency and effectiveness of the European metrology system aligned to challenges such as the European Green Deal and the changing digital nature of measuring instrumentation, considering the redefinition of the SI and the needs associated with EU regulation through a joint, harmonised underpinning metrology infrastructure;
  • Contribute to better standardisation and technical rules where the level of national metrology institutes is required or beneficial involving the STAIR platform of CEN-CENELEC and better communication with the European Commission;
  • Develop a closer cooperation among the NMIs through the work of the EMNs to establish an effective stakeholder interaction and interaction with other European Partnerships;
  • Support the development of QI systems inside and outside Europe, such as under the umbrella of INetQI.

 

In pursuing these goals, we have

  • Provided major support to the redefinition of the SI through research under EMPIR
  • Started to establish European Metrology Networks
  • Analysed regulation for which metrology is key
  • Assisted WELMEC to become a legal entity

 

In the next few years, we will

  • Align the European Partnership on Metrology to the above-mentioned challenges
  • Provide strategic agendas and strategic research agendas of the EMNs in a harmonised form
  • Further develop and implement a joint strategy for digital metrology
  • Broaden and deepen the cooperation with WELMEC, and other bodies involved in regulation and conformity assessment

 

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Collaboration with European Policy Makers and Governments

EURAMET provides support for policymaking where measurement has an important role in setting and/or implementing the policy.

 

The high-level action plan of the European Commission related to the Green Deal includes proposals such as “Decarbonising the energy sector”, “Rolling out cleaner, cheaper and healthier forms of private and public transport”, or “Ensuring buildings are more energy efficient”, all of which will require regulations where measurement considerations are vital.

 

However, environment is not the only field where regulations containing metrology elements will be issued. In many areas, metrology contributes significantly to the robust development and implementation of policies. It is crucial to raise awareness with policy makers, such as regulators, standards bodies and legal metrology authorities, about the expertise and the knowledge base of EURAMET and its members.

 

EURAMET will be proactive and offer advice during the development of European policies. To be more effective in influencing policies, EURAMET will aim to develop an operational mechanism led by the Board of Directors. The member NMIs of EURAMET will work towards a strengthened awareness by their key national ministries, not only their formally assigned ministry. EURAMET will of course not lead those efforts towards the national ministries but will facilitate and support the initiatives of their members. On a European level, the Partnerships under Horizon Europe will be among the key liaison organisations.

 

As mentioned above, the European Commission has published its strategy „Shaping Europe‘s digital future“ in 2020, which is aligned to several related strategies. The key objectives are technology that works for people, a fair and competitive economy, and an open, democratic and sustainable society. EURAMET has a central role in achieving digital transformation of existing and established processes based on the science
of measurement and its application.

 

Our goal is to

  • Contribute to better regulation;
  • Be recognised for the contribution that the NMIs, DIs and EURAMET make to enabling a just society;
  • Gain support and resources for our work;
  • Provide inputs to the development of relevant policies where measurement considerations are important;
  • Play a leading role both in the digital transformation of measurement science and in metrology for data

 

In pursuing these goals, we have

  • Signed collaboration agreements with CEN-CENELEC and WELMEC
  • Consciously identified the impact of EMRP, and EMPIR projects in policy issues
  • Identified over 70 European regulations where our members support implementation

 

In the next few years, we will

  • Work towards a new relationship with the European Commission where they recognise the value of the advice and services EURAMET can provide to assist them in developing and implementing regulations
  • Screen the priorities of the policy makers for metrological needs and set the priorities of EURAMET accordingly
  • Ensure EMNs contribute effectively to the development of European standards of major importance

 

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Delivering High Value to Members and Associates

EURAMET has a diverse membership composed of NMIs and DIs at all levels of development. The national metrology remit of NMIs and DIs is technologically very broad with increasingly complex and demanding needs which cannot be covered by the traditional, nationally fragmented system.

 

Many European NMIs and DIs represent the cutting edge of global measurement expertise, having a leading role in supporting the global competitiveness of the European economy as well as the development of measurement technologies required by a modern society. Other institutes are in the early development stages, more service-oriented, or are small with very limited resources but still have to keep-up with their
stakeholders‘ needs.

 

A delicate balance is required between the role of EURAMET in coordinating European measurement and calibration services, and the independence of individual NMIs and DIs to respond to national demands in a sustainable way.

 

Our goal is to

  • Move to a fit-for-purpose and truly coordinated metrology infrastructure in Europe with appropriate use of joint infrastructures and coordinated services
  • Assist members in achieving metrological capability where needed, and to provide reliable cross-border services where not
  • Help bridge the gap between emerging and well-developed members, thus developing a balanced and integrated metrology system

 

In pursuing these goals, we have:

  • Supported EURAMET NMIs and DIs towards more efficient and effective participation in CIPM MRA processes and mechanisms
  • Supported integration of all EURAMET members into EURAMET structures and activities
  • Supported building the human and institutional capacity of member NMIs and DIs necessary to respond to the demands of stakeholders, both in emerging fields of metrology and in basic technical skills for new staff
  • Implemented actions for developing or reinforcing the research capabilities of member NMIs and DIs
  • Allocated staff and financial resources to capacity building activities

 

In the next few years, we will:

  • Facilitate and accelerate the integration of member NMIs and DIs into EURAMET‘s activities
  • Develop and cooperate in activities related to metrology between EURAMET and international organisations active in metrology, in particular WELMEC
  • Share metrological expertise between established member institutes and new and emerging EURAMET members, particularly through Technical Committees
  • Develop further capacity building measures for EURAMET members, in particular for emerging and small NMIs and DIs
  • Promote the development of a sustainable metrology infrastructure in the countries of new and emerging EURAMET members.
  • Foster an improved management and planning in the participating institutes (i.e. strategy development, smart specialisation, sharing of resources at both national and international levels, consolidation of the existing measurement capabilities)
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Downloads

Download the full EURAMET 2030 Strategy and related documents here

EURAMET 2030 Strategy