From 23 to 27 February 2026, the first “Quality Infrastructure Week” took place in Georgia, bringing together representatives from industry, laboratories, academia, and quality infrastructure (QI) organizations. The event provided a valuable platform for exchanging experiences, strengthening collaboration, and exploring how QI supports manufacturing, innovation, and economic development.
The week-long programme aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of quality infrastructure and demonstrate how manufacturers apply QI and its elements in practice. It also sought to better identify the needs of the private sector as well as the capabilities of QI institutions. In addition, the event raised awareness of the QI-related services that are available in the country and facilitated communication between QI institutions and manufacturing companies, thereby fostering stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
Participants emphasized the value of visiting companies, which offered practical insights across various enterprises (Polimeri 1 Ltd., Basalt Fibers Ltd., Speckomforti Ltd., Dio Ltd.). These visits provided first-hand exposure to manufacturing processes and enabled participants to better understand material properties, testing requirements, and complete production cycles in practice.
A visit to Polimeri 1. © Laura Donath
The visits to laboratories further increased awareness of the testing, research, and analytical capacities available in the country (Sigma Lab Ltd., Georgian Technical University – GTU, Construction Materials Laboratory). The laboratories were widely recognized as essential partners for innovation, safety, and the future development of Georgia’s industrial sector.
Participants were highly engaged in discussions with representatives of the hosting institutions. Overall, QI Week significantly strengthened networks among stakeholders and contributed to a shared understanding of quality infrastructure (QI) as a comprehensive system supporting industry and innovation.
During the week, participants also visited Georgia’s QI institutions, including the Georgian Accreditation Centre (GAC) and the Market Surveillance Agency. These visits provided valuable insights into the practical work, responsibilities, and services of the institutions, and enabled direct interaction with experts and stakeholders.
In addition, the Open Day hosted by the Georgian National Agency for Standards and Metrology (GEOSTM) offered an important platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and engagement among participants and representatives of the QI system.
The week resulted in several important outcomes. It strengthened the links between industry, laboratories, and academia and helped identify opportunities for future cooperation and knowledge exchange. Students also gained clearer insights into the real-world applications of their studies and the role of quality infrastructure in practice.
Participants highlighted that stronger collaboration in the future will require continuous communication, networking, and regular contact among stakeholders. In addition, internships, practical training opportunities, and staff development were identified as important measures to further strengthen capacities and cooperation. The exchange of information and data was also emphasized as a key element for effective collaboration. Furthermore, participants underlined the importance of active cooperation between the private sector, QI institutions, and academia, for example through working groups and consultation meetings as well as through joint initiatives. Finally, closer cooperation both within industries and within institutions themselves was seen as essential for strengthening the overall QI ecosystem.
This event took place within the “Strengthening quality infrastructure services for adding value, productivity and innovation in the private sector in Georgia” project, financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by PTB, the German national metrology institute. Within this project, PTB supports aligning QI services with the needs of the construction materials industry. Cooperation and exchange constitute essential cornerstones in achieving this goal.
Impressions from the first Quality Infrastructure Week in Georgia. © Laura Donath
The first QI Week demonstrated how powerful collaboration can be when industry, laboratories, academia, and QI institutions come together. The exchange strengthened networks, increased awareness of QI services, and created new opportunities for cooperation. Building on this momentum, stakeholders aim to continue strengthening Georgia’s quality infrastructure ecosystem in the future.
Cover Image © Laura Donath
