Finnish research stations Pallas and SMEAR II receive ACTRIS National Facility Label
The label was granted on 9 June 2026 by the ACTRIS ERIC General Assembly, which consists of representatives from ACTRIS member countries and formally approves facilities that meet strict operational and data-quality standards.
ACTRIS (Aerosol, Clouds and Trace Gases Research Infrastructure) is a pan-European organization that brings together leading atmospheric research facilities to produce high-quality observations of aerosols, clouds, and trace gases. These measurements are essential for understanding and addressing major societal and environmental challenges related to air quality, health, sustainability, and climate change. By providing a coordinated platform for accessing the research facilities and observational data, ACTRIS strengthens Europe’s capacity to advance atmospheric science and support evidence-based decision-making.
SMEAR II and Pallas have played a pioneering role in the ACTRIS labelling process as pilot facilities, helping to shape and test the evaluation procedures. Therefore, SMEAR II and Pallas are among the first observational platforms in Europe to receive the Aerosol in situ ACTRIS National Facility label. These stations are also part of ICOS ERIC (Integrated Carbon Observation System), and the Pallas Supersite is a long-standing Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) station, further underlining Finland’s strong contribution to international atmospheric monitoring.
This achievement marks the successful completion of the ACTRIS labelling process, a rigorous certification pathway designed to ensure that National Facilities across Europe provide reliable and comparable high-quality data. For SMEAR II and Pallas, this journey began in December 2022 with initial acceptance of their aerosol in-situ component. Both SMEAR II and Pallas subsequently advanced through the required evaluation phase, implementing upgrades and refinements to fully meet ACTRIS operational requirements. The labelling procedure also involves close cooperation with the ACTRIS Topical Centers, Data Centre and Head Office to guarantee that data are accessible, traceable, and compliant with ACTRIS standards.
The ACTRIS National Facility label is a key benchmark of excellence within the European research infrastructure landscape. It certifies that a facility’s measurements, data handling, and services meet harmonized, high-level criteria and are integrated into a broader network of atmospheric observations across Europe.
With this recognition, SMEAR II and Pallas further strengthen their role as leading ACTRIS observational platforms, contributing critical long-term data on aerosols. Their measurements support cutting-edge research on climate processes, air quality, and ecosystem–atmosphere interactions, reinforcing Finland’s position at the forefront of atmospheric science in Europe.
More information:
ACTRIS-Finland Director, Professor Katrianne Lehtipalo, University of Helsinki and Finnish Meteorological Institute.
The e-mail address is in the format firstname.lastname@helsinki.fi.
