National Reference Laboratories

LGC acts as a National Reference Laboratory under Regulation (EC) No 882/2004. This regulation covers official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules, and establishes a network of European and National Reference laboratories. In each area of food and feed control, a European Reference laboratory (EURL) is identified to coordinate activities in this area. They are supported by a network of National Reference laboratories (NRL) who co-ordinate activities within their own member state and contribute to the European wide activities.
The duties of these laboratories are set out in the legislation but their principal role is to provide analytical and scientific support to ensure that food and feed control is carried out effectively and in a harmonised manner, across the EU member states. The EURL’s are listed in Regulation (EC) 882/2004 and amending legislation. 

National Reference Laboratories are nominated by the competent authorities in each Member state. In the UK, these are the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). 

LGC is currently the UK National Reference laboratory for the following areas:

  • Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and feed
  • Added water in poultry
  • Feed Additives – Authorisation
  • Feed Additives – Control
  • Chemical Elements in Food of Animal Origin
  • Mycotoxins in Food of Animal Origin

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