The European partnership on metrology: Council adopts decision

The Council adopted a decision today on the involvement of the European Union in 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.

Metrology impacts us, every day and everywhere. Without metrology, we cannot imagine contemporary world trade, safe and reliable consumer products or modern industry. The adoption of the European Partnership on metrology enables us to align measurement standards across member states, and enables achieving our goals for the digital transformation and green transition.

Simona Kustec, Slovenian Minister for Education, Science, and Sport

Metrology is the scientific study of measurement and a key enabler of economic and social activity. It ensures that when measurements are taken, they are traceable to internationally agreed definitions and standards. Metrology ensures compliance with European financial regulations as it means each financial transaction can be accurately timestamped, which provides traceable evidence. It is also of key importance with regard to the safety of consumer products.

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. It is the only partnership based on Article 185 TFEU (public-public) in the partnerships package.

The proposal was submitted by the European Commission on 23 February 2021. The Council reached a political agreement with the European Parliament on 28 September 2021.

Next steps

After the signing and publication, the decision will enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.

• Council decision on the participation of the Union in the European partnership on metrology jointly undertaken by several member states
• European Commission proposal for a decision on the European partnership on metrology
• European partnership on metrology: Council presidency reaches political agreement with the European Parliament, press release 8 October 2021