measurement services.

Fourteen of them are

contributing to the iMERA project, which also
benefits from the expertise of metrologists
from 11 other EU countries on specific topics.
EUROMET members already have a strong
track record of collaboration on separate
projects. iMERA is introducing a more
organised level of information sharing and
R&D that will ultimately lead to suggestions
for a new metrology research programme.
Step-wise approach
Although individual countries may have
consi derabl e i nvestment i n R&D for
metrol ogy, there i s great scope for
multiplying the resulting benefits through
networking. The first step in this valorisation
will be a systematic exchange of information
and best practice between NMIs and others
responsi bl e for nati onal research
programmes, whi ch wi l l hel p i denti fy
synergies. Collaboration will also take place
at a strategic level, assessing foresight
information that helps to define future
research needs and to identify those best
approached through col l aborati ve
programmes. It will prepare the ground for
joint activities by exploring structures and
intellectual property problems. Another
objective will be to involve Member States
whi ch are creati ng new metrol ogy
programmes or have special needs.
T
he first steps towards standardising
measurements were taken millennia ago
with simple concepts like the foot and the
pole, but there were many local variations.
With the arrival of mass production and
international trade, a universal system of
weights and measures became vital. Leading
industrial nations got together to sign the
Metre Convention in 1875, agreeing to use
the metri c system, now cal l ed the
International System of Units (SI).
Today, the demand for extremely accurate
measurement is unprecedented in science,
industry, to ensure regulations are effective,
and even in sport. From electronics to
nanotechnology, medical diagnostics and
the Olympic Games, exact measurement of
the smallest of quantities must be made to
internationally agreed standards.
Metrology in action
Because of the importance of measurement
standards to science and trade, many
countries have invested in metrology,
foundi ng NMI s to manage thei r R&D
programmes. It is estimated that the total
impact in Europe exceeds 83 billion each
year, nearly 1% of GDP.
NMIs in Europe banded together in 1987 to
set up EUROMET, the European NMI
Regional Metrology Organisation, so as to
collaborate more closely and improve their
Accurate measurement may
sound like a matter of routine
but it underpins many crucial
facets of advanced industrial
societies. Manufacturing,
trading standards, risk
assessment and more
demand typically a tenfold
improvement in metrology
the science of precise
measurement every decade.
These improvements are
delivered mainly on a
national scale through
various National Metrology
Institutes (NMIs). Europe
needs to maximise the value
of national research
programmes by sharing
experience and results, so the
EU has published its strategy
Planning the European
Research Area in Metrology
(MERA). Metrology
specialists throughout
Europe are now combining
their expertise in a
Coordination Action, iMERA,
to implement the
MERA strategy.
g
etting the
measurements right

We will form a common view of what is needed,

identify what needs to be done together, and bring our
collective resources to bear in a far more effective way

Coordination Action
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Realising the ERA in metrology
These steps will lay the foundation for a fuller
implementation of metrology capability in
the European Research Area. iMERA will
explore all the underlying issues to be
cl ari fi ed i n order to prepare a mul ti -
disciplinary European Metrology Research
Programme (EMRP). I t wi l l exami ne
stakehol ders needs, nati onal fundi ng
contributions, legal issues and suitable
organisational structures. One important
goal is to ensure that the EMRP is sustainable
beyond any financial support that may be
received from the Commission.
A high-level Network Steering Committee
will oversee this three-year Coordination
Acti on, wi th members from nati onal
governments and NMIs. It will determine
policy and ensure that the network meets its
goal s. i MERA s acti vi ti es wi l l l ay the
foundati on for i mprovi ng pol i cy and
standards in the field of exact measurement
and prepare for a possible Article 169 action.
The next step will be to undertake joint
activities, initially consulting all stakeholders
to develop a systematic and continuing
European metrological foresight process.
Encouraging exchange visits between
metrologists will add vigour and depth to
information sharing. Pilot areas will be
selected where joint research projects would
be valuable, funded by the NMIs these will
then be planned and executed.
EUROMET will provide the foundation for
transnati onal acti vi ti es, devel opi ng a
strategic plan for European metrology
research. State-of-the-art national metrology
centres will be opened to scientists from
other European countries and a Shared Cost
Research project will be undertaken. This
phase will culminate in the preparation of a
multi-disciplinary European Metrology
Research Programme (EMRP) with the
prospect of launching the initiative in a joint
action between the European Commission
and interested countries utilising Article 169
of the European Treaty.
Full title:
Implementing the Metrology
European Research Area
Research field:
Metrology
Co-ordinator:
National Physical Laboratory, UK
Partners:
Czech Republic: Czech Office for
Standards, Metrology and Testing
Czech Republic: Czech Metrology
Institute
Denmark: Danish Institute for
Fundamental Metrology
Finland: Centre for Metrology and
Accreditation
France: Laboratoire National dEssais
Germany: Bundesministerium fr
Wirtschaft und Arbeit
Germany: Physikalisch-Technische
Bundesanstalt
Italy: Institute di Metrologia
G. Colonetti
The Netherlands: Ministry of
Economic Affairs Competition
Directorate
The Netherlands: Van Swinden
laboratorium
Norway: Justervesenet
Poland: The Central Office of Measures
Republic of Slovenia: Metrology
Institute of the Republic of Slovenia
Slovakia: Slovak Institute of Metrology
Slovakia: Slovak office of Standards,
Metrology and Testing
Sweden: National Testing &
Research Institute
Switzerland: Swiss Federal Office of
Metrology and Testing
UK: Department of Trade and Industry
Institute for Reference Materials and
Measurement Joint Research
Centre of the European Commission
Further information:
Mr Andy Henson
National Physical Laboratory
Teddington, Middlesex
UK - TW11 0LW
Fax: +44 20 8943 6079
e-mail: andy.henson@npl.co.uk
website: npl.co.uk
Duration:
36 months
EC funding:
3 998 774
Project reference:
CA 016220
Coordination Action

I foresee a coherent joint R&D programme in Europe by the end

of the project. Metrology acts as a multiplier, so greater effectiveness
from our community will translate into benefits for all

Directorate-General for Research:

Coordination of Research Activities
http://www.cordis.lu/coordination/home.html
iMERA

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