The remit of the Community reference laboratory (CRL) and of the national
reference laboratories (NRL) is laid out in
Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of 29 April 2004. The remit of the laboratory
network relates to microbiological contamination of live bivalve molluscs.
Particular emphasis is given to ensuring a standardised system throughout
the European Community for the health checks currently required by
Regulation (EC) No 854/2004 of 29th April 2004 and for developing new procedures for more
effective monitoring and control of viral contamination.
Essentially the CRL is responsible for:
- information and guidance on relevant analytical methods
- working with NRL's on the application of methods (by comparative testing in
particular)
- co-ordinating research into new methods
- organising training courses and workshops
- collaborating with third country laboratories
- providing scientific and technical assistance to the European Commission
- helping reference laboratories implement quality assurance systems
(such as accreditation)
Essentially NRL's are responsible for :
- co-ordinating activities of the various national laboratories in that Member State
- assisting the Member State competent authority to organise a monitoring system for viral and bacteriological contamination
- organising comparative tests between the various national laboratories in that Member State
- disseminating information provided by the CRL
The Council Decision requires the NRL's and the CRL to collaborate with each other in
a laboratory network to ensure a standardised system of health checks for bivalve
molluscs operates throughout the European Community and to aid the introduction of
new health checks for viral contamination. This web site provides information on the
activities of the laboratory network and technical information relevant to its
operation.
