Three more EU reference laboratories for public health designated
The European Commission has adopted an Implementing Regulation that designates three more European reference laboratories (EURLs) for public health, which will further strengthen the European Union’s defences in the face of serious cross-border threats.
These EURLs are being established in collaboration with ECDC, and will be integrated into and support members of the disease networks coordinated by ECDC. Through these networks, the EURLs will support national public health laboratories by ensuring data comparability and capacity strengthening on laboratory methods at the EU level. This includes efforts to align on diagnostics and testing for surveillance, notification and reporting of diseases, as well as bringing together scientific expertise across the EU to improve preparedness, rapid detection and response.
The three newly designated EURLs cover the following areas:
- Food- and water-borne bacteria;
- Food- water- and vector-borne helminths and protozoa; and
- Food- and water-borne viruses.
The three EURLs are designated for seven years, and activities will be funded under the EU4Health programme.
Background information
The Regulation 2022/2371 on Serious Cross-Border Threats to Health introduced a legal mandate for the establishment of European reference laboratories in public health. The network of EURLs for public health will be operated and coordinated by ECDC. In March this year, the European Commission adopted an Implementing Regulation that designated the first six EURLs for public health.
