The European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR) concludes this year, and the closing event was held in Brussels, Belgium on 7 May 2026. EMPIR was a key initiative for metrological research and its application for tackling Europe's scientific, industrial, and societal challenges. The programme was co-funded by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme and the EMPIR Participating States.
The event brought together policymakers, scientific leaders and industry stakeholders with experts from Europe’s National Metrology Institutes and Designated Institutes, offering an opportunity to review EMPIR’s achievements in areas such as clean energy, digital transformation, health, the environment, advanced manufacturing, and support for European policy.
It became particularly evident that metrology plays a central role in developing critical technologies for the green and digital transitions by ensuring reliable, traceable, and harmonised measurements across Europe.
A particularly encouraging development within the research network could also be observed during the EMPIR event. European metrology ecosystems are increasingly integrating; numerous successful collaborations exist, and the European Metrology Networks (EMNs) are strengthening EURAMET’s joint European strategy. This makes cooperation between countries, scientific institutions, and industrial sectors even more visible.
Despite the successes showcased at the EMPIR event, tasks remain for the future. Metrological research, innovation, and standardisation need to be even more closely aligned across Europe to boost the competitiveness of European industry. The increasing integration of artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and data science into modern metrology will play another vital role. These technologies are revolutionising the capabilities for diagnosing, forecasting, and monitoring complex systems.
The closing event of EMPIR was more than just a concluding gathering; it marked the transition to a new phase of European development. The event reaffirmed that precise measurements and reliable data will continue to be key elements for European innovation, sustainability, and technological autonomy.
