EURL-FV Activity Programme

FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

EU Reference Laboratories (EURLs) aim to ensure high-quality, uniform testing in the EU and support Commission activities on risk management and risk assessment in the area of laboratory analysis.

Regulation (EC) No 625/2017 on official controls and other official activities performed to ensure the application of food and feed law, rules on animal health and welfare, plant health and plant protection products, defines tasks and responsibilities for all the EURLs. Some of them are: to provide National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) with analytical methods and diagnostic technics, and coordinate their application; to train staff from NRLs; to provide the Commission with scientific and technical expertise in relation to laboratory analysis and to collaborate with the competent laboratories in non-EU countries. Based on the aforementioned, some of the specific activities of the EURL for pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables are the organisation of proficiency tests, the coordination and edition of the Analytical Quality Control guidelines or the assistance to the Commission and EFSA for Art. 12 MRL reviews.

Every year the EURLs submit their work programmes demonstrating their contribution to the Commission’s objectives and priorities and request annual EU funding to fulfil their tasks and functions to cover their operational costs.