€2.1 million investment in new metrology labs

The laboratories are run by the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (MCCAA). The new facilities provide measurement capabilities for pressure, electricity, time and frequency. Up till now the laboratories were capable of measuring mass up to 1 tonne, dimension and temperature. They are also equipped with a tri-axle low loader for weigh-bridge calibration.

The new facilities were inaugurated by Parliamentary Secretary for Consumers and Fair Competition Chris Said in the presence of MCCAA Chairman Ing. Francis E. Farrugia and Bernard Morris from Fluke Calibration.

Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said explained that ‘given the high capital investment required and the potential low rate of return, it is difficult for a private entrepreneur to venture in this field to cater for accredited calibration needs in the areas covered by this project.

The project will bridge this national metrology gap which will greatly improve SMEs’ accessibility to required measurements thereby improving their operational costs and competitiveness.

The new metrological capabilities will meet the calibration requirements of manufacturing industries particularly pharmaceutical industries; aircraft maintenance industries; service industries; facilitating access to calibration for small third party local laboratories vying for accreditation; start-up and ensuing preventive maintenance requirements of SME’s at Smart City; sustaining R&D electronics and ICT initiatives started at the University of Malta by providing instrumentation calibration.

The project was funded over a number of years through ERDF funding Priority Axis 1 – Enhancing knowledge and Innovation. Pre-accession funds, the transition facility, and financial outlays provided by the Government of Malta were also utilised.

The new facilities were provided by Fluke Calibration, world leaders in electrical, RF, temperature, pressure and flow calibration instruments and software. Fluke Calibration instruments and software can be found in standards and calibration laboratories as well as industrial, plant and commercial facilities around the world.