New project will bring measurement scientists together

The three-year project is funded by the European Union under the instrument for pre-accession assistance (IPA), and it aims at providing Turkey's citizens an increased quality of life in areas such as environment, health, food safety and consumer protection through an enhanced measurement infrastructure.

 

A well-functioning measurement infrastructure is also necessary for the adoption of the body of European laws known as the acquis communautaire, thus supporting the accession of Turkey to the EU.

 

 

The science of measurement – also known as metrology – is probably the oldest science in the world, and underpins almost every aspect of our daily lives. From buying food in the supermarket to undergoing blood tests in the hospital, it is almost impossible to go through the day without referring to weights and measurements.

 

The history of metrology in Turkey can be traced back to 1875 when the Ottoman Empire signed the Metre Convention as one of the original signatories.

 

Today, metrology underpins the free movement of goods and the smooth functioning of the international agreements such as the EU-Turkey Customs Agreement.

 

Through the project, the JRC's Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements will provide consultancy, training and support to the highest metrological institutes of Turkey, i.e. the National Metrology Institute (TÜBİTAK-UME) and to the Sarayköy and Çekmece Nuclear Research and Training Centers (SANAEM and ÇNAEM) of TAEK.

 

The JRC's Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements will also provide training in the field of chemical and ionising radiation metrology to laboratories and universities, in order for them to optimise the use of services they obtain from the National Metrology Institute, and to help them incorporate metrology-related subjects into educational curricula.

 

 

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is a Directorate General of the European Commission. It provides customer-driven scientific and technical support for the conception, development, implementation and monitoring of EU policies. As a service of the European Commission, the JRC functions as a reference centre of science and technology for the Union. Close to the policy-making process, it serves the common interest of the Member States, while being independent of special interests, whether private or national.

 

TÜBİTAK National Metrology Institute (UME) was set up in 1986 with a view to establish national measurement standards and to ensure their international traceability, to assure measurements performed in Turkey, to contribute to Turkey’s scientific and technological development, to participate in international research and development works relating to measurement techniques, calibration methods and basic metrology, to develop new measurement techniques, to represent Turkey before international organizations in the field of metrology, to set up National Metrology System required for increasing the quality of Turkish industrial products and to help Turkish Industry overcome technical obstacles it faces in international trade.

 

The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK).

 

The Turkish Atomic Energy Authority (TAEK)

 

Contact: JRC-IRMM-Turkey-Metrology@ec.europa.eu