This proficiency test (PT) on the determination of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, PBDEs and HBCDDs in Olive Oil is organized by the EURL for halogenated POPs in Feed and Food to be performed between February and April 2026. 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 live Oil. 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 2026. 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 food 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 May 2026.

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).