Parliament backs metrology partnership within Horizon Europe
The scheme, informally agreed with Council of Ministers, aims to develop, by 2030, new research capabilities for achieving the twin ecological and digital transitions.
The partnership on metrology - the science of measurement - also aims to support sales of new innovative products and services through the use and adoption of new metrology capabilities in emerging technologies and to contribute to the design and implementation of specific standards by 2030.
The Partnership aims to accelerate Europe's global leadership in metrology research by establishing autonomous European metrology networks to support and stimulate new innovative products, address societal challenges and enable the effective design and implementation of regulations and standards that underpin public policies.
During negotiations with Council, MEP insisted to make it clear that the States participating in the European Partnership must respect academic freedom, in particular the freedom to undertake scientific research, and promote the highest standards of scientific integrity. MEPs also want metrology activities to benefit all fields of knowledge and pushed for more openness and transparency in this field.
The agreement with Council negotiated by rapporteur Maria Graça Carvalho (EPP, PT) was adopted with 536 votes to 5 and 4 abstentions on Thursday. It now needs formal approval by Council to enter into force.
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"Metrology is an essential tool at the service of every field of knowledge. It plays a primary role in the development of technologies such as wind turbines or quantum computers and applications" said Ms Carvalho.
"It has been of key importance to the development and testing of ventilators and to the accuracy of common swab tests during the fight against COVID-19. In industry, it is the technology behind the assurance of quality in the manufacturing process, especially when it comes to producing sophisticated equipment in series. It is also vital to study the Earth and climate dynamics. We would not be where we are technologically without metrology, nor would we get where we want to go" she said.
"This new public-to-public partnership funded by Horizon Europe builds on the successes of previous European initiatives (EMRP and EMPIR), but it raises the stakes as we need to meet new policy objectives. Among the main points we were able to adopt I remind the importance of scientific excellence and academic freedom, the need to increase the scientific expertise and the value of scientific advice in the governance and decision-making mechanisms of the partnership. Furthermore, we managed to create more opportunities for synergies with other partnerships and other EU funding instruments, the introduction of more openness and transparency measures in its management practices and activities and the possibility to extend participation to a wider community of stakeholders, from industry to SMEs, but also academic institutions and research centres" she added.
Background
The proposal on the partnership follows the adoption of the Horizon Europe Programme. The proposed new metrology partnership builds on the existing European metrology research programme and the European metrology programme on innovation and research. It aims to tackle the challenges of the green and digital transition, and to help build an economy that works for the people.
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Baptiste CHATAIN
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