Press European Parliament approves new partnership on metrology, the science “that makes technology work”

The European Parliament approved this Thursday, with 536 votes in favor, 4 abstentions and only 5 votes against, the new partnership in the field of Metrology, of which Portuguese MEP Maria da Graça Carvalho (EPP) was rapporteur. The new public-public partnership, within the scope of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme, focuses on a wide range of measuring instruments, and is of great importance for all scientific, engineering and industrial activity in Europe.

“Metrology is a discipline at the service of all areas of knowledge”, said Maria da Graça Carvalho during the Wednesday night parliamentary debate, which preceded the vote. “It makes science work. It Makes technology work. It helps societies evolve. It lets us know where we are, whether we are facing a pandemic or implementing disruptive changes like the green and digital transitions.”

The MEP gave several concrete examples of the impact of Metrology in the lives of all of us, from health to the study of climate change and industrial activity. “In the fight against COVID-19, it contributed to the development of efficient mechanical ventilators, and even to the accuracy of the rapid swab tests used daily by millions of people”, she illustrated. “In the industry, it is the technology at the basis of quality assurance in the manufacturing process. Mass production of sophisticated equipment would be unthinkable without this science. It is also vital for studying climate phenomena”, she added.

“We wouldn't be where we are technologically without metrology. Neither would we get where we want to go", she summed up.

In the report by Maria da Graça Carvalho, successfully negotiated in November with the Council and the European Commission (trilogue), the MEP managed to assert all the points defended by Parliament. In particular, ensuring that the partnership will have greater interaction “both upstream, with universities and research centers, and downstream with small and medium-sized companies and industry”; that “scientific excellence and academic freedom” will be valued and that “greater openness and transparency in management activities” will be promoted.

Other amendments to the European Commission's initial proposal, which the rapporteur was able to introduce successfully, include “greater dialogue with society”, greater “public visibility of the results achieved” and “strengthening the possibility of establishing synergies, both between partnerships and with the other financial instruments, at European level and in each Member State”.

After the vote, Carvalho said she hopes the partnership – that still needs final approval by the Council – will enter into force as soon as possible.