Reference Laboratories

The NRLs of the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment are particularly highly qualified in their respective fields and are characterised by political, social and economic independence. The establishment of the NRLs in the member states of the EU has created the basis for harmonised measures in the field of laboratory diagnostics throughout Europe. The main task of the NRLs is to develop and validate methods and to carry out proficiency tests (laboratory comparative tests, interlaboratory comparisons) with the official laboratories at the national level for quality assurance.

In the reference laboratories, new test methods are developed and validated that can be used to reliably and legally verify the presence of substances and microorganisms in food, feed and products that are relevant to health. The methods must be highly effective in order to be used as reference methods.

The laboratories provide samples with known levels of the substances and microorganisms to be examined as reference material. These samples are used to check the methods applied in the control laboratories and are therefore essential for maintaining quality assurance.

The nature of the work of the national reference laboratories means that they have a monitoring function for the early detection of risks. They provide the basis for national and, increasingly, international exposureClose dialogexposureExposureTo glossary estimates.
The establishment of the ‘national reference laboratories’ ensures that work is carried out according to uniform standards throughout Europe. This is particularly important for the monitoring and control of food, which is subject to the principle of the free movement of goods within the European Union.

National coordination

The national reference laboratories also serve as the national link between the EU's Community Reference Laboratories and the food control authorities of the Member States.

Reliable food control in all European countries

As a federal institute, the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment co-operates with the respective institutions of the federal states (in particular the state investigation offices). The NRLs therefore see themselves as a link between the institutions of the federal states and the European Union. The concerns of the federal states are bundled by the NRLs and passed on to the European reference laboratories (EURL). The EURLs, in turn, are in close contact with the NRLs in the Member States. This ensures that work is carried out according to uniform standards throughout Europe, in particular with regard to the monitoring and control of foodstuffs, for which the principle of the free movement of goods applies within the EU.

The EURLs are under the supervision of the European Commission (EC). The EURLs are the institutions between the EU Commission and the NRLs in the Member States.

The aim of research in the national reference laboratories is to develop new, sensitive detection methods. The methods should help to deliver rapid and reliable results on the occurrence, spread and characterisation of pathogens, residues, contaminants and undesirable ingredients.

Development of detection methods

In particular, detection methods are being developed for salmonella, Escherichia coli, trichinellosis, campylobacter, monitoring of bacterial and viral shellfish contaminants, marine biotoxins, feed and food from genetically modified organisms (GMO), materials in contact with food, and research by the wine expert body.

In particular, the detection methods should

• recognise emerging risks at an early stage
• provide rapid and reliable results on the occurrence, distribution and characterisation of pathogens, residues and contaminants
• be suitable for national and international standardisation

These national reference laboratories (NRL) are active at the BfR based on EU law: 

• NRL for Foodborne Viruses
• NRL for the Monitoring of Marine Biotoxins
• NRL for Campylobacter
• NRL for Escherichia coli
• NRL for Listeria monocytogenes
• NRL for Trichinella
• NRL for Antibiotic Resistance
• NRL for Salmonella
• NRL for coagulase-positive Staphylococci incl. Staphylococcus aureus
• NRL for Mycotoxins and Plant Toxins in Feed and Food
• NRL for Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in Food and Feed
• NRL for Materials in Contact with Food
• NRL for Animal Proteins in Feed
• NRL for Additives for Use in Animal Nutrition
• NRL for Food Additives and Flavourings

In addition to the NRLs based on EU law, other specialised laboratories and laboratories with a reference function are also attached to the BfRshort forGerman Federal Institute for Risk Assessment. These include the reference laboratory in the network of genetically modified organisms (GMO), the top appraisal body for the import control of wine in line with the wine monitoring regulation, zoonosis reporting, the consultant laboratories for Leptospira, Vibrios and Yersinia and the Specialised laboratory for spore formers.

• Reference Laboratory in the Network of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
• Senior Expert Office for the Import Control of Wine in accordance with the Wine Monitoring Ordinance
• Zoonosis reporting
• Consultant Laboratory for Leptospira
• Consultant Laboratory for vibrios
• Consultant Laboratory for Yersinia
• Specialised laboratory for spore formers