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European metrology research and development programme 2009-2017

2008/0230(COD)

PURPOSE: to enable the participation by the Community in a European metrology research and development programme (EMRP) undertaken by several Member States.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Decision No 912/2009/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on the participation by the Community in a European metrology research and development programme undertaken by several Member States.

CONTENT: the Council adopted a decision approving participation by the EU in a European metrology research programme, following an agreement reached with the European Parliament at first reading.

The EU's seventh research framework programme (2007-2013) provides for Community participation in research and development programmes undertaken by several Member States, including participation in the structures created for the execution of those programmes.

The decision will enable the Community to make a contribution of up to EUR 200 million to the future European metrology research programme (EMRP).

The EMRP will be undertaken jointly by 19 EU Member States  (Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom) plus three third countries (Norway, Switzerland and Turkey), with a view to establishing the necessary legal and organisational framework for large-scale cooperation on metrology research and responding to growing demand in Europe for cutting-edge metrology, particularly in emerging technological areas.

Metrology, the science of measurement, is a cross-disciplinary field and a vital component of a modern knowledge-based society. Reliable and comparable measurement standards and appropriate validated measuring and test methods underpin the processes of scientific advancement and technological innovation and thus have a significant impact on the economy and the quality of life.

The core activity of the EMRP shall consist of funding multi-partner trans-national EMRP projects addressing research, technological development, training and dissemination activities (EMRP projects). In view of the concentrated capacities in metrology, the core part of the EMRP projects shall be executed by National Metrology Institutes and Designated Institutes (namely, specialist institutes responsible for certain national standards and associated services that are not covered by the activities of the National Metrology Institutes) from participating States.

In order to increase and diversify capacities in metrology, the EMRP shall also fund several researcher grant schemes which shall complement the EMRP projects.

At the end of Community participation in the EMRP but no later than in 2017, the Commission shall, with the assistance of an independent expert group, conduct a final evaluation of the general, specific and operational objectives of the EMRP. This group shall base its assessment on, inter alia, the following indicators:

  • the scientific excellence of the projects and grants awarded as measured by the number of publications, patents and other scientific output indicators;
  • the level of participation in the programme by outside researchers and research institutions;
  • the increase in metrology capacity of Member States and countries associated to the Seventh Framework Programme whose metrology programmes are at an early stage of development;
  • the number and quality of training activities;
  • the number and quality of activities related to metrology communication and diffusion.

The results of the final evaluation shall be presented to the European Parliament and the Council.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 03/10/2009.