What is EURL POPs?

This document on analytical parameters for the determination of selected per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in food and feed was developed within the network of the European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) for halogenated POPs in Feed and Food, the respective National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) of EU member states and international experts in the field of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) analysis.The guidance in this document is intended for laboratories involved in the official control of contaminants in food and feed and focuses on the determination of these substances in the laboratory. It is intended as general guidance for laboratories and particularly for those that do not have an existing method. It provides useful key elements in a set of analytical parameters contributing to further harmonization in the field of PFAS analysis in food and feed as part of the EURL’s official mandate and scope of work.

This proficiency test (PT) on the determination of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, PBDEs and HBCDDs in Bentonite is organized by the EURL for halogenated POPs in Feed and Food to be performed between July and November 2024. The objective is to assess analytical performance of laboratories and inter-laboratory comparability of results from analyses of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, PBDEs and HBCDDs in one sample of Bentonite. National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) for halogenated POPs in Feed and Food from EU member states are requested to participate as part of their work programme for 2024. NRLs are invited to encourage the participation of Official Laboratories (OFLs) from their member states as part of their duties following Article 101 of regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2017. Furthermore, participation of OFLs will allow the extension of the data basis for calculation of assigned values and evaluation of results. Official laboratories and commercial laboratories performing the analysis of samples taken by feed business operators are invited to participate in this interlaboratory study. First results will be discussed by representatives of European Commission, NRLs and the EURL at the EURL/NRL online workshop in November 2024.

This interlaboratory study (ILS) on the determination of several brominated contaminants (BCons), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), polychlorinated alkanes (PCAs – main constituent of CPs) and per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) in Powdered Infant Milk / Formula is organized by the EURL for halogenated POPs in Feed and Food to be performed between July and October 2024. The objective is to assess analytical performance of laboratories and interlaboratory comparability of results from analyses of PBDEs, HBCDDs, TBBPA, eBFRs, PBDD/Fs, PXDD/Fs, PBB, PCNs, PCAs and PFAS in a Powdered Infant Milk test material. Official laboratories, research laboratories, universities and commercial laboratories performing the analysis of samples taken by food business operators are invited to participate in this interlaboratory study.