NPL to lead VAMAS, the world’s foremost pre-standardisation organisation for advanced materials

3 minute read

Advanced materials are critical to economic growth, enabling innovation across all sectors of the economy. Following the 1982 G7 Economic Summit in Versailles, VAMAS was established in response to governments recognising that emerging advanced materials technologies would only achieve widespread industrial and commercial adoption if countries could agree on reliable measurement methods, testing procedures and performance data.  

VAMAS develops trusted measurement, best practice and comparability methods through international collaborative projects carried out by experts from industry, national metrology institutes, academia and standards organisations, helping innovative technologies progress from the laboratory into commercial products and global supply chains.  

Over the past four decades, VAMAS activities directly contributed to hundreds of international standards, new products and services, and sharing of best practice, supporting innovation, industrial competitiveness and international trade in advanced material technologies.  

As Chair and Secretary, NPL will lead the strategic direction of VAMAS, working with international partners to identify emerging measurement challenges and opportunities in advanced materials including semiconductors, nanomaterials, microplastics, biomaterials and many others.  

By fostering new technical collaborations, the links between research, industry and standards development can be strengthened, helping to create the foundations needed for the next generation of technological innovation. 

Professor Fernando Castro, Chair of VAMAS, said: “Advanced materials are a foundation of future growth and industrial competitiveness. Through VAMAS, the international community develops the trusted measurement methods, data and standards that give industry confidence to accelerate innovation, strengthen supply chains and access global markets. I am honoured to serve as Chair of VAMAS at a time when international cooperation on measurement and standards is more important than ever for supporting innovation and world trade.” 

Mr Sam Gnaniah, Secretary of VAMAS, said: “VAMAS has a long history of bringing together experts from around the world to address the challenges that can limit the adoption of advanced materials. By connecting industry, academia, national metrology institutes and standards bodies, we help build international consensus, share best practice and support the development of globally relevant standards.”