Metrology Research: A Strategic Pillar for Europe’s Competitiveness and Sovereignty

Metrology, the science of measurement, is a cornerstone of modern society, technology, and policy, ensuring precision in critical areas—from advanced manufacturing to clean energy and cancer diagnosis and treatment. In Europe, EURAMET’s metrology research initiatives, including the Metrology Partnership and its predecessors EMRP and EMPIR, bring together the measurement science community and stakeholders from various sectors to collaborate on joint research addressing global challenges. Co-financed by the European Union and participating states, these programmes aim to foster innovation, competitiveness, and resilience across Europe.

Several reports, including studies on economic benefits and performance evaluations, show that these programmes deliver substantial value to the economy, science, and society, and strongly support the EU’s strategic objectives—from decarbonisation to digital and green transitions and sustainable prosperity.

FTMC’s Role in the EURAMET Ecosystem

In Lithuania, metrology functions are carried out by the Metrology Department of the Centre for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), which has served as the national metrology institute (NMI) since 2014.

As a full EURAMET member, FTMC actively participates in the European metrology framework and contributes to collaborative initiatives:

• Participates in EURAMET technical committees, including Time and Frequency (TC-TF), chemical metrology, environmental monitoring, and other networks.
• Maintains Lithuania’s national measurement standards (time and frequency, temperature, electrical units, length, mass, chemical metrology, ionizing radiation).
• Operates state-of-the-art time and frequency reference infrastructure, including atomic clocks, enabling participation in international comparison programmes.
• Conducts quality management system peer-reviews coordinated by EURAMET, ensuring compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 and international recognition.
• Encourages Lithuanian scientists to engage in European Partnership on Metrology (EPM) projects and provides support for proposal development.

In 2025, FTMC hosted the annual EURAMET Time and Frequency Technical Committee meeting, attended by national metrology institutes from across Europe. This demonstrates FTMC’s visibility and recognition within the international metrology community.

FTMC is therefore not only a EURAMET member but also an active contributor to European metrology initiatives, strengthening measurement science in both Lithuania and Europe.

Every Euro Invested in European Metrology Research Returns Fourfold

A recent EURAMET report quantifies the economic impact of EMRP, EMPIR, and the ongoing Metrology Partnership. The total turnover from new or significantly improved products and services is estimated at €1.6 billion. A similar impact is expected from the current partnership.

In other words, every €1 million of EU funding generated over €4 million in turnover from metrology-enabled products and services.

Program Impact on Europe

The Metrology Partnership and its predecessors:

• Deliver a high return on public investment,
• Accelerate innovation cycles and strengthen technological sovereignty,
• Enhance societal safety, quality, and well-being,
• Support the EU’s digital, green, and energy transitions.

Strategic Importance of Metrology for Europe

Evaluations by the European Commission and independent experts confirm that metrology is a strategic field, underpinning Europe’s scientific and industrial leadership.

Key highlights include:

• Strengthening the competitiveness of European companies,
• Supporting digital and green transitions,
• Engaging stakeholders across the entire value chain,
• Promoting cross-border compatibility.

Cutting-edge metrology is essential to avoid dependence on third-country technologies, particularly in areas requiring high precision. Structured EU support enables the metrology community to coordinate research efficiently, reduce fragmentation, and increase Europe’s strategic autonomy.

The Future of Metrology—and FTMC’s Role

As other global economies strategically invest in metrology, continued EU-level investment is increasingly crucial.

Future metrology initiatives will help Europe enhance competitiveness in:

• Advanced materials,
• Quantum technologies,
• Energy solutions,
• Climate, health, and digital policy areas.

Metrology is becoming increasingly important for both civil and defense applications.

As Lithuania’s national metrology institute, FTMC is an integral part of this ecosystem and will directly contribute to future initiatives, reinforcing Lithuania’s role in supporting Europe’s strategic sovereignty.

For more information and examples of joint metrology research projects, visit the Powered by Metrology website.

FTMC and EURAMET information