European metrology programme for innovation and research (EMPIR): participation of the Union

PURPOSE: to allow the Union's participation in the European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research ("EMPIR"), a programme jointly undertaken by several Member States.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Decision No 555/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council on the participation of the Union in a European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR) jointly undertaken by several Member States.

CONTENT: this Decision is part of a package of four legal acts for a new generation of public-private partnerships that will allow large-scale, long-term innovation projects to be carried out under the umbrella of Horizon 2020, the EU's research and innovation framework programme.

Three other public-public partnerships will be further developed on research programmes jointly undertaken by Member States with the participation of the Union in the areas of:

·        a second research and development programme aimed at supporting research and development performing small and medium-sized enterprises (‘Eurostars-2’);

·        a programme on research and development on active and assisted living (AAL programme);

·        a second partnership programme between European and developing countries countries on clinical trials (EDCTP-II).

Objective: the Decision establishes the rules of and conditions of participation by the Union in the European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR), jointly undertaken by Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

Any Member State and any other country associated to Horizon 2020 may apply to join EMPIR, provided it fulfils the conditions regarding financial contribution. 

Programme objectives: EMPIR has the following objectives:

·        provide appropriate, integrated and fit-for-purpose metrology solutions supporting innovation and industrial competitiveness, as well as measurement technologies addressing societal challenges such as health, environment and energy, including support to policy development and implementation;

·        create an integrated European Metrology Research system with critical mass and active engagement at regional, national, European and international level.

Union financial contribution: the Union’s financial contribution, including EFTA appropriations, to EMPIR shall be up to EUR 300 000 000. The contribution will be paid from appropriations allocated to the relevant parts of the Specific Programme implementing Horizon 2020, and in particular from Part II “Industrial leadership” and Part III “Societal challenges”.

Implementation: the Participating States have agreed upon the implementation structure for EMRP, and in 2007 set up EURAMET e.V. ("EURAMET"), the European Regional Metrology Organisation and a non-profit association under German law. EURAMET also has tasks and obligations related to the wider European and global harmonisation of metrology. EURAMET should be used for the implementation of EMPIR and be the recipient of the Union’s financial contribution.

Calls for proposals should be launched at the latest by 31 December 2020. In duly justified cases they may be launched by 31 December 2021. Calls for proposals should also be published on the single portal for participants as well as through other Horizon 2020 electronic means of dissemination managed by the Commission.

In order to protect the Union’s financial interests, the Commission should have the right to reduce, suspend or terminate the Union’s financial contribution if the programme is implemented inadequately.

Evaluation: by 30 June 2017, the Commission shall carry out an interim evaluation of EMPIR with the help of independent experts. It shall send that report to the European Parliament and to the Council by 31 December 2017. The result of the interim evaluation of the programme shall be taken into account in the interim evaluation of Horizon 2020.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 27.06.2014.