Nordic Standardization Program (NSP) NSP launched a project during 2007 to investigate mass-distribution based methods for formation testing. After definition and frame work for standard in 2008, during spring 2009 an extensive test program was carried out to confirm that measuring results obtained are highly representative and reliable, as well as independent on equipment or operator bias.”Nordic paper industry has tried to complete a universal paper formation standard already several times during past two decades, but it has always failed because many modern paper grades include a variety of fibre and filler components, coating pigments, and various surface treatments that change paper's optical behaviour and visual appearance independently on basis weight of paper. As a result, traditional visual inspection or optical formation measurement cannot provide a full understanding of paper's basis weight variation structure – and cannot be relied on as the only method of characterising paper uniformity," says Antero Komppa, Chairman of Ambertec Oy, developer of Ambertec Formation Analyzers."The beta-radiation based method overcomes these problems and provides a highly reliable and unambiquous way of measuring paper and board formation,” Antero Komppa continues.It is the reliability of Amertec's Beta Formation Tester that has made it a de facto method for modern paper quality analysis around the world. Therefore, major paper machinery suppliers have been using this system as a basis for paper formation guarantees at machine rebuilds and new machine deliveries.