Intensified cooperation amongst the national metrology institutes of Europe in all their fields of activity, from metrological research to calibration services, is a response to increased needs of society for traceable measurement, not only in the traditional areas (trade, manufacturing) but also in meeting the ‘Grand Challenges’ of modern society, such as Energy & the Environment; Health and Security, often in combination with the enabling technologies. European metrology had been coordinated successfully since 1987 by the European Association of National Metrology Institutes (EUROMET) but with increased integration of national programmes, a change of organisational form became necessary and since 2007 EURAMET e.V. is its successor as the Regional Metrology Organisation (RMO) of Europe.