The 8th Internationa! Pyrheiiometer Comparisons were held, together with Regional Comparisons for the Regional Associations of Africa ( RA I ), Asia (RA II), North and Central America (RA IV). Europe and Near East (RA VI), from 25 September through iß October 1995 at PMOD/WRC in Davos. The reason for this combination was the urgent need for Pyrheliometer Comparisons in some Regions and the lack of funds and time to organize them in the corresponding area. This led to the largest number of participants and instruments since the start of the IPC in 1959.