The scope of the European Union Reference Laboratory for Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants in Feed and Food (EURL POPs) includes, since it was appointed to an extended scope in 2018, halogenated POPs such as PCDD/Fs, PCBs, brominated flame retardants and contaminants, PFAS, chlorinated paraffins and PCNs in both feed and food. As such, it is one of 25 EURLs in the field of feed and food control appointed by the European Commission.
This proficiency test (PT) on the determination of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, PBDEs, HBCDDs and PFAS in Hay was organized by the EURL for halogenated POPs in Feed and Food to be performed between August and November 2025. The objective was to assess analytical performance of laboratories and interlaboratory comparability of results from analyses of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, PBDEs, HBCDDs and PFAS in one sample of Hay.
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 was organized by the EURL for halogenated POPs in Feed and Food to be performed between July and October 2024. The objective was 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.
This proficiency test (PT) on the determination of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, PBDEs, HBCDDs and PFAS in Fish Fillet was organized by the EURL for halogenated POPs in Feed and Food to be performed between January and April 2025. The objective was to assess analytical performance of laboratories and interlaboratory comparability of results from analyses of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, PBDEs, HBCDDs and PFAS in one sample of Fish Fillet.
This document on criteria for extraction procedures and confirmation of results for the analysis of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in feed was developed within the network of the European Union Reference Laboratory (EURL) for halogenated POPs in Feed and Food and the respective National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) of EU member states. The guidance in this document is intended for laboratories involved in the official control of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in feed including laboratories performing control for feed business operators and focuses on criteria for extraction procedures and confirmation of results for determination of PCDD/Fs and PCBs in feed.
This guidance document describing the determination of polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCNs), is intended for laboratories involved in the official control of contaminants in food and feed and focuses on the practical determination of PCNs. It was developed by a working group 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 analysis of persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
This proficiency test (PT) on the determination of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, PBDEs and HBCDDs in Bentonite was organized by the EURL for halogenated POPs in Feed and Food to be performed between August and November 2024. The objective was to assess analytical performance of laboratories and interlaboratory comparability of results from analyses of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, PBDEs and HBCDDs in one sample of Bentonite.
The EURL provides proficiency testing for its main target analytes once a year in feed and food samples for the national reference laboratories of EU member states free of charge according to Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council. Other national reference laboratories, official control laboratories and commercial laboratories, performing analysis of samples taken by food or feed business operators, may participate for a fee.
The agenda of the working groups includes several aspects regarding analytical methodologies, practical issues for laboratories to set up methods, proposal for analytical criteria, emerging new contaminants, EFSA opinions and European Commission requests.
The national authorities of each of the 27 member states of the European Union declare National Reference Laboratories working in the scope of their respective EURL. The current addresses and contact data for the NRLs for halogenated POPs in feed and food can be found here.