In a landmark move to bring order to the rapidly advancing field of quantum technology, the Group of Seven (G7) nations and Australia have formalized an agreement to establish a unified framework for benchmarks and standards. The collaboration, signed in October 2025, unites the national measurement science institutes of the eight countries in an effort to ensure that progress in areas like quantum computing is based on reliable, comparable, and unbiased data.

This initiative, known as NMI-Q, aims to address growing concerns over unverified performance claims and create a common language for evaluating emerging technologies. By standardizing the metrics used to assess quantum computers, sensors, and communication systems, the partnership seeks to accelerate innovation, foster public trust, and provide a stable foundation for the global commercialization of quantum research. The agreement is designed to align international efforts, ensuring that breakthroughs can be rigorously verified and built upon by the global scientific community.

An International Alliance for Quantum Measurement

The core of the new collaboration is the NMI-Q initiative, which officially launched with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in Paris. This program brings together the national metrology institutes (NMIs) from all seven G7 members—Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States—along with the National Metrology Institute of Australia (NMIA). These institutions are the ultimate authorities on the science of measurement in their respective countries, responsible for maintaining fundamental standards for everything from time and mass to electricity.

This “unprecedented agreement” formalizes a commitment made by G7 leaders earlier in 2025 to coordinate more closely on quantum technology development. The leaders identified the need for international cooperation across several domains, including research, investment strategies, workforce development, and security protocols. The NMI-Q program represents the first major outcome of this commitment, creating a dedicated structure for the world’s leading measurement labs to jointly tackle the unique challenges posed by quantum science.

The Quest for Universal Benchmarks

The primary driver for the NMI-Q initiative is the urgent need for objective, universally accepted benchmarks. In recent years, the quantum sector has seen a surge of investment and a corresponding rise in bold claims of technological breakthroughs, particularly from private tech companies. However, without a standardized way to measure and compare performance, these claims have often been difficult to verify, leading to skepticism and uncertainty within the research community.

The new agreement aims to solve this problem by developing a shared framework for performance metrics, much like the International Bureau of Weights and Measures historically did for physical units like the kilogram. The goal is to create a reliable yardstick to measure the quality of quantum processors (qubits), the accuracy of quantum sensors, and the security of quantum communication networks. According to officials, establishing this common ground is essential for distinguishing genuine progress from hype and for enabling fair competition and collaboration. Thomas Grenon of France’s National Metrology and Testing Laboratory stated the deal aims to help partners “work together better and faster on major yet still very emerging quantum technologies.”

Scope of the Standardization Efforts

The NMI-Q collaboration will address the full spectrum of emerging quantum technologies, with an initial focus on three critical areas: computing, sensing, and communication. Each presents distinct measurement challenges that require specialized approaches.

Quantum Computing Metrics

For quantum computing, the initiative will move beyond simple qubit counts to develop more sophisticated, multi-faceted benchmarks. These will likely assess not only the quantity but also the quality of qubits, including their stability (coherence time), error rates, and the fidelity of their logical operations. The work being pioneered by teams at France’s national lab, which is already examining performance benchmarks for quantum bits and sensors, will serve as a foundational element of this effort.

Sensing and Communication Standards

In quantum sensing, which uses quantum mechanics to create ultra-precise measurement devices, the focus will be on standardizing sensitivity, resolution, and resilience to environmental noise. For quantum communications, which promises fundamentally secure data transmission, the benchmarks will need to quantify the reliability and security of quantum key distribution (QKD) protocols and other related technologies. By creating clear standards, the NMI-Q hopes to pave the way for interoperable technologies that can function seamlessly across different systems and borders.

Economic and Security Implications

The push for quantum standards is deeply intertwined with the economic and strategic ambitions of the participating nations. Quantum technologies are widely recognized as critical to future national security and economic competitiveness. Applications range from developing new pharmaceuticals and materials with quantum computers to creating un-hackable communication networks for defense and finance. As UK Science Minister Lord Vallance noted, the collaboration will “accelerate the commercialisation and rollout of quantum technologies,” leading to innovations like improved medical imaging and more resilient critical infrastructure.

By harmonizing their measurement approaches, the G7 and Australia are positioning themselves to lead the development of the global quantum economy. This alignment is intended to create a trusted ecosystem for investment and innovation, preventing market fragmentation and ensuring that member nations can build secure supply chains for critical quantum components. The agreement reflects a shared understanding that leadership in the 21st century will depend heavily on mastering these transformative technologies.

A Foundation for Future Innovation

Ultimately, the NMI-Q agreement is about building a solid foundation of trust and reproducibility for the next generation of technology. By ensuring that all researchers and developers are speaking the same measurement language, the collaboration will reduce ambiguity and make it easier to verify and build upon new discoveries. This shared framework is expected to foster deeper international collaboration, not only among the national labs but also between academia and the private sector.

The initiative is also forward-looking, as the national metrology institutes prepare for their new responsibilities under the agreement. As quantum technologies mature from laboratory curiosities into commercial products, the need for robust standards and certification will become even more critical. This G7 and Australian partnership is a proactive step to build the measurement infrastructure that will be required to support a thriving global quantum industry, ensuring that its profound potential is realized in a secure, stable, and collaborative manner.