Legal basis

Legal mandates

Under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 with the support of the ENGL

"Duties of the EURL GMFF under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 are detailed in its Annex and further expanded under Regulation (EC) No 1981/2006. Accordingly, the EURL GMFF is responsible for:"

• Reception, preparation, storage, maintenance, and distribution to NRLs of the appropriate positive and negative control samples;
• Testing and validation of the method for detection, including sampling and identification of the transformation event and, where applicable, for the detection and identification of the transformation event in the food/feed;
• Evaluating the data provided in the application for authorisation of the GM food/feed to verify its suitability to ring-trial validation;
• Submitting full evaluation reports to European Food Safety Authority (EFSA);
• Settling the disputes between MS concerning the results of the tasks outlined above.

Under Regulation (EU) 2017/625 repealing Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 on official controls

Under Article 94 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625, the EURL GMFF is responsible for contributing to the improvement and harmonisation of analytical methods used for official control. In this context, it fulfils the following tasks:

• Providing NRLs with details and guidance on analytical methods, including reference methods;
• Coordinating the application by the NRLs of these methods by organising proficiency tests and by ensuring appropriate follow-up and informing the Commission and the Member States of the results and follow-up;
• Coordinate practical arrangements to apply new analytical methods and informing NRLs of advances in this field;
• Providing information to NRLs on relevant national, Union and international research activities;
• Conducting training courses for staff from NRLs, and, if needed, from other official laboratories as well as of experts from third countries;
• Providing reference material to NRLs;
• Publish the list of NRLs designated by the Member States.
• Cooperate to develop methods of analysis and testing of high standards;
• Providing scientific and technical assistance to the Commission;
• Collaborating with EFSA and laboratories responsible for analysing feed and food in third countries;