VIRM project (Programme GROWTH - Contract No G7RT-CT-2002-05104) -foundation of the European Virtual Institute on Reference Materials.

A consortium of 22 (Core Group (CG)) has been funded for three years (from 1st January 2003 to 31st December 2005) by the European Commission within the frame of the 5th Research Framework Programme to set up a European Virtual Institute for Reference Materials as a sustainable and legally independent organisation. The principal outcome of the project was, therefore, the foundation of the legally and economically autonomous non-profit Virtual Institute on Reference Materials with a legal seat in Luxembourg.

The aim of the European Virtual Institute for Reference Materials (VIRM) has been to offer the meeting place for the European Reference Material community. It has involved a consortium of experts from all over Europe, covering R+D organisations, governmental and private laboratories, RM producers and industry.

The objective of VIRM has been to improve the Quality Control for analytical measurements, facilitating dissemination of information and advice, know-how and help on Reference Materials and related fields. The innovative character of VIRM consisted in its virtual structure, combining a minimal logistic infrastructure with the maximal effectiveness of a European-wide ICT network.

Quality Consult was partner of the project, acting as secretariat and helpdesk of the VIRM, being the only physical entity of the Virtual Institute.

In January 2007, the General Assembly of VIRM unanimously decided for the liquidation of the VIRM asbl and approved the transfer of its assets to QualityConsult that was from the foundation of the VIRM charged by the HelpDesk/Secretariat functions, and was the only physical structure of the institute.

Today the VIRM offer its services into Quality Consult: VIRM Services

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