Materials Engineering Research Laboratory, Ltd (MERL) is one of the leading independent laboratories specialising in consultancy, testing and research contracts for the aerospace, automotive, energy and other industries on composite and other polymeric materials and structural elements. MERL has considerable experience and maintained leading roles in conducting contract R&D, training, and conferences in composites engineering. MERL has specific expertise in delamination mechanics and its use in damage tolerance evaluation. MERL has been responsible for writing many Guidelines, Handbooks, Standards and Reviews on a variety of subjects including damage tolerance of composites. MERL has developed a range of new tests and analysis approaches to obtain materials properties that relate more closely to performance in service than the closest equivalent standard tests are capable of providing. A special feature has been research to develop fatigue and life prediction methods to enable element life in specified service conditions to be predicted with increased levels of confidence. MERL staff have considerable expertise and practical experience in the following areas: fracture mechanics of composites, finite element analysis, mechanical properties testing relevant to service, structural testing, accelerated chemical ageing techniques, fatigue testing, durability of adhesives, failure analysis, etc.