EU and UNIDO Partner to Strengthen Metrology Infrastructure in Armenia

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by high-level representatives from the Armenian Government, including the Ministry of Economy, the EU Delegation to Armenia, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, and various stakeholders from public and private sectors. Among the attendees were regulatory authorities, quality infrastructure institutions, manufacturers, business associations, laboratories, certification bodies, and representatives from universities and research organizations.
 

The newly established NBSM laboratories include four key areas of calibration: Electrical and Time and Frequency, Torque and Pressure, Dimensional (Length), and Chemistry. Equipped with cutting-edge metrological tools, the laboratories are designed to enhance NBSM’s calibration capabilities, enabling the provision of high-precision services to both public and private sectors.

These facilities will play a crucial role in ensuring the traceability of measurements across Armenia, helping industries meet rigorous international standards and further  driving innovation and development in the country. The laboratories will also serve as testing laboratories and certification organizations, ensuring the reliability and accuracy of their services.

Gevorg Papoyan, Minister of Economy of Armenia, underscored the importance of these new laboratories for Armenia’s continued efforts to enhance its quality infrastructure. He highlighted the positive impact they will have on improving industrial performance and boosting trade competitiveness in the global market. "I am pleased to note that the strengthening of metrological capabilities in the Republic of Armenia creates new opportunities for our country to promote new quality standards within the framework of export diversification, as well as to improve the quality of goods and services.”

Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Vassilis Maragos, said: “The laboratories opened today represent a significant step forward in innovation and progress, enhancing the National Body for Standards and Metrology’s ability to deliver internationally recognized calibration services. Metrology plays a critical role in ensuring quality and reliability of products and services, which is fundamental for industrial and technological development, trade diversification and citizens’ wellbeing. This assistance contributes to the European Investment Plan (EIP) for Armenia, which is a comprehensive initiative aimed at fostering economic growth, sustainable development, and prosperity in the country”. 

Bernard Bau from UNIDO HQ further emphasized։ “Seeing is believing” - this is particularly true when it comes to unveiling a state-of-the art laboratory like this electrical calibration laboratory. We can see, up close, the cutting-edge technology and precision that will define the future of metrology services in Armenia. This is a remarkable success story that stands as an inspiration for future projects. This became possible through the enduring and exceptional collaboration between EU-UNIDO on one hand, and our national counterparts - the Ministry of Economy and the National Body for Standards and Metrology (NBSM) - on the other. I am confident in the success of these laboratories, and in the lasting and sustainable impact this project will have for the benefit of the country”.

Jirayr Edilyan, UNIDO Country Representative, mentioned: “The event will not only showcase NBSM’s new laboratories, but also foster greater engagement and collaboration with various public and private stakeholders.” 

Following the laboratory opening, a guided tour was organized, where attendees had the opportunity to explore the diverse calibration and measurement services offered by the new laboratories. The tour demonstrated the importance of precision and accuracy for various industries, enhancing visitors’ understanding of how metrology plays a crucial role in ensuring product quality, compliance, and competitiveness in global markets.

Following the ribbon-cutting, a seminar titled “The Contribution of Metrology to Compliance, Performance, and Competitiveness” was held for over 50 public and private stakeholders. The seminar focused on the role of metrology in supporting industry innovation and performance. Special attention was given to insights from the private sector, where participants shared their experiences and future needs for metrology services that align with compliance, performance, and competitiveness goals. Discussions at the seminar emphasized how quality and metrology can transform compliance into enhanced performance, driving trade diversification and boosting the global competitiveness of Armenian products and services. 

World Quality Week is an annual global campaign that aims to raise awareness of the importance of quality management. The theme for World Quality Week 2024, “From Compliance to Performance,” focused on navigating the complexities of today’s dynamic business landscape and showcasing the vital contribution of quality infrastructure in driving growth.

The “Support to Quality Infrastructure in Armenia” project, funded by the EU and implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, aims to strengthen NBSM’s capacity to deliver sustainable, internationally recognized metrology services. The project contributes to Armenia’s broader goals for economic diversification and trade competitiveness, in line with the country’s commitments under the Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the EU.