Fera National Reference Laboratory Status

Fera National Reference Laboratory Status
  • No. of science leads
    17
  • no. OF other specialisms
    5
  • no. of nrls
    7
  • consultancy
    Yes

Fera acts as National Reference Laboratory under Regulation (EU) 2017/625 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. The Regulation establishes a harmonised framework of rules for Member States to adhere to at a Community level for monitoring and enforcing feed and food law to ensure feed and food is safe and wholesome.


Why is NRL Status Important?

The European Commission has created a network of National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) coordinated by the European Union Reference Laboratories (EU-RLs). This network of laboratories is responsible for setting up EU-wide standards for routine procedures and reliable testing methods in the areas of feed and food and animal health.

  • Collaboration & Sharing of Expertise

    These laboratories must collaborate with the EU-RL in their particular area of expertise and disseminate nationally information provided by the EU-RL

  • Scientific & Technical Assistance

    The NRLs provide scientific and technical assistance to the national competent authorities.

  • Improving Quality, Accuracy & Comparability

    The overall objective of the EU-RLs and NRLs is to improve the quality, accuracy and comparability of the results at Official Control Laboratories (OCLs).

  • Appointed UK NRLs

    Core functions of the appointed UK NRLs are effectively those cited in Article 101 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 which include  collaboration with the EU-RLs and coordination of the activities of official laboratories, organisation of comparative tests and ensuring appropriate follow-up, dissemination to the competent authority and official national laboratories.

Why choose Fera?

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Meet the scientists

Feras' science leaders comprises of renowned scientists who underpin our passion for ground breaking innovation and translational science, all supported with technical expertise to ensure best-in-class governance for the organisation.

Meet the Scientists

IAFRI partnership

The Institute for Agri-Food Research and Innovation (IAFRI) is a joint venture between Newcastle University and Fera Science Ltd (Fera).


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