National Reference Laboratory
Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) is as National Reference Laboratory (NRL) responsible for the technical support of Official laboratories and authorities, and quality assurance. WFSR has been appointed as NRL by the ministries of LNV en VWS/MZ in relation to Regulation (EU) 2017/625 for:
Water content in poultry meat
Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) is the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for the investigation of the water content of poultry meat. For poultry meat, a maximum (trade) limit has been established to protect consumers and benevolent producers against poultry meat with too high (added) water content.
Foodborne viruses
Wageningen Food Safety Research serves as the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for foodborne viruses in the Netherlands.
Animal Proteins in feedingstuffs
Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) is National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for animal proteins in feedingstuffs and is responsible for carrying out all tasks laid down in Regulation (EU) 2017/625.
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) is National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food and feed. The laboratory receives samples for this purpose from the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), the competent authority in the Netherlands.
Marine biotoxins
Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) is National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for marine biotoxins and ensures the quality of these marine toxin analyses in shellfish.
Milk and Milk Products
Wageningen Food Safety Research is a National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for (raw) milk and milk products.
Metals and nitrogenous compounds in food and feed
Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) is the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for researching environmental contaminants such as metals and nitrogenous compounds in food and feed. This is laid down in Regulation (EU) 2017/625 and additional legislation on contaminants in products of animal origin.
Mycotoxins and plant toxins in food and feed
Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) is the National Reference Laboratorium (NRL) for mycotoxins and plant toxins in food and feedstuffs conforming to Regulation (EU) 2017/625.
Halogenated Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in feed and food
Wageningen Food Safety Research is the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for research into persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in food and animal feed. By doing this, WFSR supports the Dutch government and ensures a high-quality standard in official food controls and compliance testing.
Processing contaminants
Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) is a National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for research into processing contaminants in foodstuffs of animal and vegetable origin, carried out within the framework of official monitoring and enforcement by Regulation (EU) no. 2023/915.
Pharmacological active substances in animal products
Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) is a National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for authorised, unauthorised and prohibited pharmacologically active substances in food of animal origin and residues of veterinary medicines in food of animal origin for Group A and B substances (Annex I, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2022/1644).
Residues of pesticides in food and feed
Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) is the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for pesticide residues in food and feed.
Additives for use in animal nutrition
Wageningen Food Safety Research (WFSR) is National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for additives for use in animal nutrition. Through this, WFSR supports the control of animal feed for the presence of additives, both for authorised and prohibited substances. This task is carried out in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2017/625.
Tasks of a NRL
The tasks of a NRL are laid down in Regulation (EU) 2017/625, these tasks are:
(a) collaborate with the European Union reference laboratories, and participate in training courses and in inter-laboratory comparative tests organised by these laboratories;
(b) coordinate the activities of official laboratories designated in accordance with Article 37(1) with a view of harmonising and improving the methods of laboratory analysis, test or diagnosis and their use;
(c) where appropriate, organise inter-laboratory comparative testing or proficiency tests between official laboratories, ensure an appropriate follow-up of such tests and inform the competent authorities of the results of such tests and follow-up;
(d) ensure the dissemination to the competent authorities and official laboratories of information that the European Union reference laboratory supplies;
(e) provide within the scope of their mission scientific and technical assistance to the competent authorities for the implementation of MANCPs referred to in Article 109 and of coordinated control programmes adopted in accordance with Article 112;
(f) where relevant, validate the reagents and lots of reagents, establish and maintain up-to-date lists of available reference substances and reagents and of manufacturers and suppliers of such substances and reagents;
(g) where necessary, conduct training courses for the staff of official laboratories designated under Article 37(1).
Furthermore WFSR is appointed as NRL for the water content of poultry meat in relation to Regulation (EC) no 543/2008.