Building the capacities of the Bureau of Metrology in relation to scientific and industrial metrology, harmonizing Macedonia's relevant legislation with EU's in a bid to lift technical barriers and enhance trade by improving the metrology infrastructure in the country was the goal of a project titled "Technical Assistance to the Capacity Building of Bureau of Metrology".

The project was implemented in the period of January 2011 – September 2012, with a budget slightly above 500.000 EUR.

Speaking at a closing conference of the EU-funded project, EU Ambassador to Macedonia Aivo Orav said the project represented an additional step towards further approximation of the country's legislation to the EU policies and standards in the area of free movement of goods. 

"An efficient and sustainable national quality infrastructure - working according to European standards and requirements –  is a main precondition for free movement of goods across the states borders. In this line, the role of metrology bodes is extremely significant. Measurements underpin virtually every aspect of our daily lives, helping to ensure quality and safety, keeping us health and helping us innovate and keep our economy competitive. Sound data based on reliable measurements, form a cornerstone of evidence needed for successful policy-making and regulation," Orav stated.

He added that the project allowed certificates by calibration laboratories to be fully recognised by the corresponding authorities of the EU member states. "Reduction of such trade barrier for export of goods on the EU market opens new prospects for local companies."

Economy Minister Valon Saraqini said that the project's implementation contributed to concluding one of the most successful strategic projects of the European Union - free movement of goods, being one of the main pillars of the single market.

"Its implementation lays out a structure for quality and developed metrology system, meaning that all technical barriers for functioning trade have been lifted," Saraqini noted.