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For his involvement in EURAMET's metrology research programmes from the very start

"On behalf of the whole EMPIR Committee, I would like to thank Jörn for his invaluable contributions to EURAMET's research programmes. It has been a pleasure to work in the committee when Jörn was chair and his choice to remain there ensures the efficient work can be continued", says Erkki Ikonen, new Vice-Chairperson (EMPIR).

Jörn Stenger is member of the Presidential Board of the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB, Germany) and started his term as Vice-Chairperson (EMRP) in 2010. Jörn held the position during a very intense and challenging period for EURAMET which included both the operational implementation and strategic development of the programme, which Jörn was already contributing to prior to the commencement of his term. "Jörn is together with others from the former core team one of the main architects and drivers of the EMRP and later also of EMPIR. He is one of the key players who led us through the transition process, focused, and with a clear vision for the programmes and the development of the European metrology. On behalf of EURAMET I would like to express my sincerest thanks", comments EURAMET Chairperson, Beat Jeckelmann.

During his 6-year term from the beginning of 2010 to the end of 2015 the first EMRP projects started and the positive mid-term evaluation by the European Commission and the European Parliament took place. At the same time, Jörn was driving the exploration of options for the successor programme EMPIR and its creation in line with the European Union's Horizon 2020 programme.

"I enjoyed the collaboration within the EMPIR Committee. We always found solutions which were accepted by all of the members and I was fortunate to be able to count on a very reliable team including the EMRP Programme Manager, Duncan Jarvis, his Management Support Unit, EURAMET's Legal Advisor Barbara Tafel and the Secretariat. My successor Erkki Ikonen knows the EMPIR Committee well and has been involved in the programmes for many years. I wish him all the best for his new task." Jörn always emphasised the drive of European metrology behind the numerous EMRP and EMPIR projects: "The programmes do not only lead to an integration of scientific work but are influential to all related wider activities such as the fields of innovation, standardisation, conformity assessment, knowledge transfer and policy advise."