European Union Reference Laboratories

The European Union established a series of European Union Reference Laboratories (EURLs) for food and feed within the legislative framework on food safety. Animal health was added at a later stage; this now includes the area of animal welfare involving a number of other policy areas, such as cosmetics, industrial chemicals and pharmaceuticals.

The JRC currently hosts three European Union Reference Laboratories (EURLs) working on food and feed related issues:

• EURL for Food Contact Materials
• EURL for Feed Additives
• EURL for Genetically Modified Food & Feed

EURLs coordinate a network of National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) to obtain high quality results by providing:

• reference methods
• reference materials
• proficiency testing schemes
• training to laboratory staff.

They support the creation of a well performing network of laboratories throughout the European Union. The work of the EURLs leads to better implementation of EU legislation, e.g. by enforcing legislative limits and reducing the need to repeat testing.

As a result the functioning of the EU internal market is strengthened and consumers benefit from safe food and products in the market.

The JRC also hosts the European Union Reference Laboratories for Alternatives to Animal Testing EURL ECVAM.

This laboratory addresses alternatives to the use of animals for scientific purposes. It promotes the scientific and regulatory acceptance of non-animal approaches and coordinates EU-wide independent validation of their relevance and reliability for specific purposes.

It aims to progressively reduce the current reliance on animal models. EURL ECVAM coordinates a network of laboratories that assists in the evaluation (validation) of alternative approaches.

More about EURLs can be found on the website of the Directorate-General for Health and Consumers.