What is EURL POPs?

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.

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What is EURL POPs?
What is EURL POPs?
What is EURL POPs?

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15.12.2025

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).

25.08.2025

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.

Interlaboratory studies and proficiency tests

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.

PCDD/Fs, PCBs

Proficiency test on PCDD/Fs and PCBs

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PBDEs, HBCDDs

Proficiency test on PBDEs and HBCDDs

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PFAS

Proficiency tests on per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances

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CPs

Proficiency tests on short- and medium-chained chlorinated paraffins

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PCNs

Interlaboratory studies on polychlorinated naphthalenes

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eBFRs

Interlaboratory studies on emerging and novel brominated contaminants

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Working Groups and guidance documents

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.

EURL comtaminants cluster

  • cooperation of EURLs for contaminants
  • outcome: Guidance Documents on Estimation LOD and LOQ in Feed and Food
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CWG BCon and PCNs

  • established in 2018
  • outcome: Guidance Documents on Analytical Parameters for the Determination of Organobromine Contaminants
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CWG PFAS

  • established in 2018
  • outcome: Guidance Document on Analytical Parameters for the Determination of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl substances
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CWG CPs

  • established in 2016
  • outcome: Guidance Document on the Analysis of Chlorinated Paraffins, Joint paper on analytical conundrums
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Other CWGs

  • Topics: measurement uncertainty, analytical criteria, congener patterns
  • Outcome: Guidance Document on MU, contribution to EU regulations, congener pattern data base
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National Reference Laboratories across the EU

National Reference Laboratories across the EU

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.

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