National Measurement Laboratory Annual Review 2025 Highlights UK Measurement Science
The National Measurement Laboratory (NML) has published its Annual Review 2025, reflecting on a year of scientific achievement, collaboration and investment in the UK’s chemical and biological measurement capability.
A central milestone was the move into a new purpose-designed, low-carbon laboratory facility at The Priestley Building in Guildford. The £20 million investment by LGC Group strengthens national scientific infrastructure and expands the NML’s capacity to support emerging challenges and innovation.
The Review demonstrates how trusted measurement science helps translate research into practical impact and gives confidence that the evidence used by government, regulators, healthcare and industry is accurate and comparable. Work highlighted in the Review includes:
- advancing diagnostic readiness and healthcare innovation;
- supporting environmental monitoring and sustainability;
- enabling responsible innovation in engineering biology;
- helping research move into real-world applications; and
- supporting economic growth and regional scientific expertise across the UK.
As the UK’s Designated Institute for chemical and biological metrology, the NML connects government, academia and industry. Its work underpins public health, product safety, trade, innovation and evidence-based policy by ensuring measurements can be trusted.
Key points for policymakers
- Reliable measurement infrastructure is fundamental to effective regulation, public confidence and scientific decision-making.
- Investment in national laboratory capability supports innovation, resilience and economic growth.
- Measurement expertise helps emerging technologies move safely and successfully from research into practical use.
- Collaboration across government, academia and industry strengthens UK capability and regional expertise.
Read the full Review:
NML Annual Review 2025 overview
Download the full Annual Review (PDF)
