ITRI and the UK's National Physical Laboratory Partner on Semiconductor Standards

HSINCHU, Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Semiconductors are Taiwan's key industry, with measurement standards serving as the "common language" for industrial development and advanced manufacturing. Following the establishment of ITRI's UK Office in May and its partnership with the Catapult Network, Taiwan-UK relations deepened further with a cooperation agreement between ITRI and the UK's National Physical Laboratory (NPL). The agreement will enable joint research, personnel exchanges, and co-development of emerging technologies in semiconductor measurement standards, aiming to secure Taiwan-UK leadership in international standards while reducing industry costs and enhancing competitiveness.

ITRI President Edwin Liu emphasized that the UK's leadership in fundamental science, green economy, and digital transformation complements Taiwan's strengths in semiconductors, ICT, and applied technology commercialization. "Building on existing collaborations with Compound Semiconductor Applications Catapult (CSA Catapult) and Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (ORE Catapult) in compound semiconductors and energy, the new partnership with NPL will advance pre-standardization research in semiconductors, advanced materials, and key measurement technologies," he said. "The collaboration will promote global measurement standard consistency through technical exchanges, inter-laboratory comparisons, standard setting, and personnel training, connecting Taiwan-UK research resources to help industries jointly explore global markets."

Deputy Director-General June-Chieh Lai of the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, noted that ITRI operates Taiwan's National Measurement Laboratory (NML), which maintains the nation's highest measurement standards. These services underpin a testing market valued at over NT$20 billion annually. Over the years, ITRI and NPL have collaborated closely to harmonize their national quality systems with international standards. Looking ahead, this renewed partnership is set to drive fresh momentum in industrial innovation.

Lai indicated that both NML and NPL are signatories to the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement, which allows calibrations performed in one country to be recognized globally. This framework helps industries reduce duplicate testing costs for exports, lower technical trade barriers, and enhance product competitiveness in international markets. The ITRI-NPL collaboration in semiconductors, AI, and advanced materials will accelerate standardization in emerging industries and the commercialization of new semiconductor technologies, strengthening Taiwan's leading position in the global high-tech supply chain.

NPL is a world-class metrology and applied physics research institution that maintains the UK's national measurement standards and is deeply involved in establishing international metrology systems. It has achieved many important international results, including the development of the world's ultra-high-precision atomic clocks, the establishment of international nanoscale measurement standards, and its designation as an international benchmark in climate monitoring and medical imaging metrology, thereby playing a key role in the development of the global metrology field.

UK National Technology Adviser Dave Smith stated that the semiconductor industry is at the core of global progress, and Taiwan and the UK already have a solid foundation of scientific research cooperation. This collaboration in semiconductor metrology will enable both sides to leverage their respective advantages to become key developers of international semiconductor measurement standards, establishing a successful model of cross-border cooperation and jointly shaping the future of global technology.

From driving next-generation AI systems to achieving flexible supply chains and secure communications, Taiwan has a complete semiconductor supply chain and the most advanced technology. At the same time, the UK focuses on research and development, design, and intellectual property rights. The UK government also announced its Modern Industrial Strategy in June 2025, designating semiconductors as one of the nation's priority "frontier technologies" with high potential for economic growth. The strategy outlines a comprehensive approach to accelerating industrial development while addressing global challenges such as talent shortages and supply chain resilience.

About ITRI

Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is one of the world's leading technology R&D institutions aiming to innovate a better future for society. Founded in 1973, ITRI has played a vital role in transforming Taiwan's industries from labor-intensive into innovation-driven. To address market needs and global trends, it has launched its 2035 Technology Strategy and Roadmap that focuses on innovation development in Smart Living, Quality Health, Sustainable Environment, and Resilient Society.

Over the years, ITRI has been dedicated to incubating startups and spinoffs, including well-known names such as UMC and TSMC. In addition to its headquarters in Taiwan, ITRI has branch offices in the U.S., Germany, the UK, Japan, and Thailand in an effort to extend its R&D scope and promote international cooperation across the globe. For more information, please visit https://www.itri.org/eng.

Media Contact
Annie Wu
Office of Marketing Communications, ITRI
+886-3-591-8406
aiyunwu@itri.org.tw  

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