The Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection (BSMI), Ministry of Economic Affairs, has commissioned the Center for Measurement Standards of the Industrial Technology Research Institute (CMS/ITRI) to establish the National Measurement Laboratory (NML), responsible for developing and maintaining Taiwan's highest-level measurement standards. Under the guidance of BSMI, NML has actively engaged in international metrology affairs and, in response to rapid technological advances and global supply chain restructuring, has been expanding cross-border cooperation.

On September 11, CMS/ITRI and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), United Kingdom, formally signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) at ITRI's Hsinchu headquarters. The agreement establishes a solid foundation for long-term collaboration on the development of measurement technologies and industrial applications in frontier areas such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and advanced materials.

The MoA was signed by Dr. Yu-Ping Lan, Executive Director of CMS/ITRI, and Mr. Gareth Edwards, Head of Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Strategy at NPL. The signing was witnessed by Mr. June-Chieh Lai, Deputy General of BSMI; Dr. Edwin Liu, President of ITRI; and Dr. Dave Smith, National Technology Adviser to the UK government, marking a new milestone in Taiwan-UK science and technology cooperation.

BSMI noted that both NML and NPL serve as the core national institutions in their respective metrology systems and have long collaborated in measurement standards and international comparisons to promote global measurement consistency. The MoA will further strengthen their partnership in metrology technologies, with future cooperation to include international symposia, technical exchanges, expert visits, joint training, and standards development. These efforts will accelerate innovation in measurement science and help Taiwan's industries gain greater advantages in the global market.

BSMI emphasized that this collaboration not only deepens Taiwan-UK scientific research exchanges but also combines CMS/ITRI's expertise in precision measurement with NPL's world-class technological capabilities. Together, both sides will advance cross-border technical cooperation and standards development, helping industries open new markets and applications. With complementary strengths in semiconductors, AI, ICT, advanced materials, and process metrology, the partnership will accelerate the development and application of critical technologies, injecting new momentum into industrial innovation.