History

NIOM has served Nordic oral health for over 50 years


Nordic Institute of Dental Materials (NIOM) was established in 1972, as a joint Nordic institute located in Oslo. Our obligation was and still is to work towards ensuring that the materials and equipment intended for use in dentistry in the Nordic countries are safe and appropriate. This aim is met through research, materials testing, and standardisation.

In 2009, the Nordic Council of Ministers decided to make NIOM a Nordic Cooperative Body for dental biomaterials and transfer the ownership to national authorities in Norway. In 2010, the ownership changed to Unirand, a subsidiary company to the University of Oslo, and The Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services (HOD). Since 2019 NIOM has been owned jointly by NORCE and HOD.

In 2022, NIOM celebrated 50 years.

  • 2025 The Dental Biomaterials Adverse Reaction Unit becomes a part of NIOM
  • 2022 NIOM celebrates it’s 50th with an anniversary book
  • 2019 University of Oslo transferred its ownership in NIOM to NORCE
  • 2017 NIOM celebrates 45 years
  • 2010 NIOM became a Nordic Co-operative Body
    Owned by the University of Oslo and the Ministry of Health and Care ServicesNIOM moves to its current locations in Oslo, Norway
  • 2009 Last year as an institution under the auspices of the Nordic Council of Ministers
  • 2004 The Notified Body activities transferred to a Norwegian foundation, NDC
  • 1998 The Nordic certification programme terminated
  • 1997 NIOM celebrates 25 years
  • 1996 Information from NIOM is available on the Internet
    This year NIOM launched its first ever website
  • 1995 NIOM appointed Notified Body
  • 1992 NIOM achieves Accreditation on 22 October
  • 1987 NIOM moves to new locations at Haslum outside of Oslo
  • 1979 First year of visiting scientist programme
  • 1977 The establishment of NIOM fulfilled according to the plan
  • 1974 The first list of certified materials
    27 dental amalgam alloys
  • 1974 Iceland included as a member
  • 1972 Appoints the first director
    Dr. odont. Ivar A. Mjör
  • 1972 Nordic Institute of Dental Materials (NIOM) was established
  • 1970 The board representing Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Norway had their first meeting