The remit of the European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) 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 EURL 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 EURL
The Regulation Decision requires that NRL's and the EURL to collaborate with each other in
a laboratory network to ensure a standardised system of health checks for bivalve
molluscs operates throughout the European Union and to aid the introduction of
new health checks for viral contamination. The Commission has developed a protocol to assist
in the management of this collaboration
(Commission protocol).
This web site provides information on the
activities of the laboratory network and technical information relevant to its
operation.
