# C_2014244EN.01000701.xml

| 26.7.2014 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 244/7 |
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26.7.2014

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 244/7

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COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION

of 24 July 2014

establishing the work programme of the Commission for the year 2015 on financial contribution to the European Union reference laboratories

2014/C 244/06

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules (1), and in particular Article 32(7) thereof,

1

Having regard to Regulation (EU) No 652/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 laying down provisions for the management of expenditure relating to the food chain, animal health and animal welfare, and relating to plant health and plant reproductive material, amending Council Directives 98/56/EC, 2000/29/EC and 2008/90/EC, Regulations (EC) No 178/2002, (EC) No 882/2004 and (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directive 2009/128/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Regulation (EC) No 1107/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Council Decisions 66/399/EEC, 76/894/EEC and 2009/470/EC (2), and in particular Article 30 thereof,

2

Having regard to Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2012 on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union, and in particular Article 84(2) thereof.

Whereas:

| (1) | Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 lays down the tasks and responsibilities of the European Union (EU) reference laboratories. |
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(1)

Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 lays down the tasks and responsibilities of the European Union (EU) reference laboratories.

| (2) | In order to ensure implementation of the activities to be carried out by the EU reference laboratories it is necessary to adopt a financing decision and the work programme for 2015. Article 94 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1268/2012 (3) establishes detailed rules on financing decisions. |
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(2)

In order to ensure implementation of the activities to be carried out by the EU reference laboratories it is necessary to adopt a financing decision and the work programme for 2015. Article 94 of Commission Delegated Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 1268/2012 (3) establishes detailed rules on financing decisions.

3

| (3) | It is appropriate to authorise award of grants without a call for proposals to the bodies identified in the work programme and for the reasons provided therein. |
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(3)

It is appropriate to authorise award of grants without a call for proposals to the bodies identified in the work programme and for the reasons provided therein.

| (4) | The EU reference laboratories are to submit their work programmes for the year 2015. Those work programmes should be in conformity with the objectives and priorities of the present work programme of the Commission. The award of the grants for those programmes is to be subject to their approval by the Commission. |
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(4)

The EU reference laboratories are to submit their work programmes for the year 2015. Those work programmes should be in conformity with the objectives and priorities of the present work programme of the Commission. The award of the grants for those programmes is to be subject to their approval by the Commission.

| (5) | The level of the annual Union financial aid for the activity of the EU reference laboratories is decided on a yearly basis. Given the significance of the activities undertaken by the EU reference laboratories for the interest of the Union, those should be co-financed at the rate of 100 % of eligible costs listed in Article 30 of Regulation (EU) No 652/2014, and within the limit of the amounts in the present Decision. Other costs not eligible but necessary to carry out the tasks will not be co-financed. |
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(5)

The level of the annual Union financial aid for the activity of the EU reference laboratories is decided on a yearly basis. Given the significance of the activities undertaken by the EU reference laboratories for the interest of the Union, those should be co-financed at the rate of 100 % of eligible costs listed in Article 30 of Regulation (EU) No 652/2014, and within the limit of the amounts in the present Decision. Other costs not eligible but necessary to carry out the tasks will not be co-financed.

| (6) | Annex VII to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 identifies six EU reference laboratories within the Joint Research Centre, which is a directorate-general of the Commission. The rules governing the Union financial aid for the Joint Research Centre are laid down in an annual administrative arrangement and the present work programme should not apply to those six EU reference laboratories. |
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(6)

Annex VII to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 identifies six EU reference laboratories within the Joint Research Centre, which is a directorate-general of the Commission. The rules governing the Union financial aid for the Joint Research Centre are laid down in an annual administrative arrangement and the present work programme should not apply to those six EU reference laboratories.

| (7) | The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee of the Food Chain and Animal Health, |
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(7)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee of the Food Chain and Animal Health,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

The work programme

The annual work programme for the implementation of Union co-funded programmes of the European reference laboratories for 2015 as set out in the Annex is adopted.

The annual work programme constitutes a financing decision within the meaning of Article 84 of the Financial Regulation for actions funded from appropriations of 2015.

Article 2

Union contribution

The maximum contribution for the implementation of the programme for the year 2015 is set at EUR 15 500 000, and shall be financed from the following line of the general budget of the European Union for 2015:

budget line 17.0403.

The implementation of this Decision is subject to the availability of the appropriations provided for in the draft budget for 2015 after the adoption of the budget for 2015 by the budgetary authority or as provided for in the system of provisional twelfths.

Article 3

Grants

Grants may be awarded without a call for proposals to the bodies identified in the Annex, in accordance with the conditions specified therein.

Done at Brussels, 24 July 2014.

For the Commission

Tonio BORG

Member of the Commission

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(1)  OJ L 165, 30.4.2004, p. 1.

1

(2)  OJ L 189, 27.6.2014, p. 1.

2

(3)  Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 1268/2012 of 29 October 2012 on the rules of application of Regulation (EU, Euratom) No 966/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the financial rules applicable to the general budget of the Union (OJ L 362, 31.12.2012, p. 1).

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ANNEX

concerning the work programme of the Commission for 2015 and the financial contribution to the European Union reference laboratories

EU Reference Laboratories — Commission Work Programme for 2015

1.1.   Introduction

On the basis of the objectives given in Regulation (EU) No 652/2014 this work programme contains the actions to be financed and the budget breakdown for year 2015 for grants implemented under direct management and awarded to the European reference laboratories (EU-RLs) as the Union financial contribution to the implementation of functions and duties in the field of food and feed safety and animal health, animal welfare and plant health as laid down in Article 32 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004.

EU co-finances the EU-RLs with the aim to ensure uniform high quality testing within the EU to support Commission's activities in relation to risk management (and to risk assessment). EU-RLs are in general embedded in (national) public institutions with long-standing high level expertise like national reference laboratories (NRLs) or regional reference laboratories of the World Organisation for Animal Health. They are designated by the Commission in accordance with sectoral legislation. Annex VII to Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 provides a list of the 44 EU-RLs.

The Commission works in close collaboration with the EU-RLs, which, together with the NRLs, play an essential role on scientific and technical support for the establishment of uniform practices of official feed and food controls as required by Regulation (EC) No 882/2004.

The implementation of this work programme will be subject to prior approval by the Commission of the EU-RL work programmes which are to be in conformity with the objectives and priorities laid down in the present work programme. Once approved, the EU-RLs are to implement their work programmes and provide the Commission with a report on such implementation.

1.2.   Legal basis

| — | Article 32(7) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules (OJ L 165, 30.4.2004, p. 1); |
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Article 32(7) of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules (OJ L 165, 30.4.2004, p. 1);

| — | Article 36(1) of Regulation (EU) No 652/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 laying down provisions for the management of expenditure relating to the food chain, animal health and animal welfare, and relating to plant health and plant reproductive material (OJ L 189, 27.6.2014, p. 1). |
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Article 36(1) of Regulation (EU) No 652/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 laying down provisions for the management of expenditure relating to the food chain, animal health and animal welfare, and relating to plant health and plant reproductive material (OJ L 189, 27.6.2014, p. 1).

1.3.   Budget line

| — | 17.0403 |
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17.0403

1.4.   Objectives — expected results — measures

(a)   General objective

| — | to contribute to a high level of health for humans, animals and plants, ensuring a high level of protection for consumers and the environment, while favouring competitiveness and creation of jobs. |
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to contribute to a high level of health for humans, animals and plants, ensuring a high level of protection for consumers and the environment, while favouring competitiveness and creation of jobs.

(b)   Specific objectives

| — | to contribute to a high level of safety of food/feed and food/feed production and a higher animal health status; |
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to contribute to a high level of safety of food/feed and food/feed production and a higher animal health status;

| — | to contribute to a timely detection and eradication of pests; |
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to contribute to a timely detection and eradication of pests;

| — | to improve effectiveness, efficiency and reliability of official controls. |
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to improve effectiveness, efficiency and reliability of official controls.

(c)   Operational objectives, indicators and expected results

| Operational objectives | Indicator | Expected result |
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| 1 | To ensure the development and use of high quality analytical methods across the EU-RL framework | Quality of analytical methods | State of art of analytical methods available |
| 2 | To maintain appropriate level of proficiency testing ensuring efficiency of control analysis methods | Level of completion of comparative testing in relation to annual survey results | All national reference laboratories (NRLs) completed testing successfully |
| 3 | To ensure the availability of scientific and technical assistance provided by the EU-RLs | Satisfaction degree of support provided by the EU-RLs | Timely and adequate answer to all the assistance requests |
| 4 | To ensure a sound and efficient management of EU-RL funding cycle | Timelines and level of completion of necessary steps of EU-RL programmes' funding cycle | Timely and completed funding cycle |

Operational objectives

Indicator

Expected result

1

To ensure the development and use of high quality analytical methods across the EU-RL framework

Quality of analytical methods

State of art of analytical methods available

2

To maintain appropriate level of proficiency testing ensuring efficiency of control analysis methods

Level of completion of comparative testing in relation to annual survey results

All national reference laboratories (NRLs) completed testing successfully

3

To ensure the availability of scientific and technical assistance provided by the EU-RLs

Satisfaction degree of support provided by the EU-RLs

Timely and adequate answer to all the assistance requests

4

To ensure a sound and efficient management of EU-RL funding cycle

Timelines and level of completion of necessary steps of EU-RL programmes' funding cycle

Timely and completed funding cycle

(d)   Measures and activities for the implementation of the operational objectives

Operational objective 1: To ensure the development and use of high quality analytical methods across the EU-RL network

| — | ensuring dissemination of analytical and reference methods from EU-RLs to NRLs; |
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ensuring dissemination of analytical and reference methods from EU-RLs to NRLs;

| — | monitoring of publication by EU-RLs of new developed methods and corresponding validation studies; |
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monitoring of publication by EU-RLs of new developed methods and corresponding validation studies;

| — | coordination of EU-RL activities on practical arrangements for the application of new analytical methods; |
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coordination of EU-RL activities on practical arrangements for the application of new analytical methods;

| — | EU-RLs, NRLs and Member States coordination for the preparation of the 2016 work programmes regarding new or improved methods, and/or dissemination information means on methods and reference materials; |
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EU-RLs, NRLs and Member States coordination for the preparation of the 2016 work programmes regarding new or improved methods, and/or dissemination information means on methods and reference materials;

| — | planning of trainings, meetings and workshops organised by the EU-RLs for the harmonization of diagnostic techniques and of methods of analysis; |
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planning of trainings, meetings and workshops organised by the EU-RLs for the harmonization of diagnostic techniques and of methods of analysis;

| — | initiation of EU-RLs collaboration with laboratories in third countries. |
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initiation of EU-RLs collaboration with laboratories in third countries.

Operational objective 2: To maintain appropriate level of proficiency testing ensuring efficiency of control analysis methods

| — | ensuring planning and initiation of comparative testing by EU-RLs in accordance with internationally accepted protocols; |
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ensuring planning and initiation of comparative testing by EU-RLs in accordance with internationally accepted protocols;

| — | address underperforming related issues within the EU-RL network; |
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address underperforming related issues within the EU-RL network;

| — | coordination of EU-RLs, NRLs and the Member States for the planning of performance testing in the work programmes. |
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coordination of EU-RLs, NRLs and the Member States for the planning of performance testing in the work programmes.

Operational objective 3: To ensure the availability of scientific and technical assistance provided by the EU-RLs

| — | queries to EU-RLs for policy making and enforcement; |
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queries to EU-RLs for policy making and enforcement;

| — | initiation of EU-RLs collaboration with EFSA and international organisations; |
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initiation of EU-RLs collaboration with EFSA and international organisations;

| — | organisation of meetings for scientific and technical assistance from the EU-RLs; |
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organisation of meetings for scientific and technical assistance from the EU-RLs;

| — | guidance initiation regarding analytical methods; |
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guidance initiation regarding analytical methods;

| — | networking activities for appropriate assistance by the EU-RLs. |
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networking activities for appropriate assistance by the EU-RLs.

Operational objective 4: To ensure a sound and efficient management of EU-RL funding cycle

| — | collection, verification and validation of EU-RL work programmes; |
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collection, verification and validation of EU-RL work programmes;

| — | control and verification of financial expenditure; |
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control and verification of financial expenditure;

| — | communication with EU-RLs for the execution of their work programmes; |
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communication with EU-RLs for the execution of their work programmes;

| — | evaluation of the EU-RL annual technical and financial report; |
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evaluation of the EU-RL annual technical and financial report;

| — | support to the EU-RLs for the preparation of their annual work programmes; |
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support to the EU-RLs for the preparation of their annual work programmes;

| — | evaluation of the EU-RL reported performance indicator ex-ante and ex-post. |
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evaluation of the EU-RL reported performance indicator ex-ante and ex-post.

1.5.   Priorities

Risk containment and enforcement needs in the areas covered by Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 evolve constantly. In recent years, new challenges have emerged resulting from the increased trade in animals, food and feed and animal substances used for their production, and from progress in science and technology and as a consequence in diagnostic techniques.

A coordinated approach is needed to ensure:

| — | protection against the re-emergence of new/greater risks; |
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protection against the re-emergence of new/greater risks;

| — | prevention and early detection of diseases and threats through food and feed; |
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prevention and early detection of diseases and threats through food and feed;

| — | effective implementation of enforcement and official controls. |
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effective implementation of enforcement and official controls.

EU-RLs, NRLs and competent authorities in the Member States form a network with a very important role both in the case of emergencies and in times of ‘business as usual’. The maintenance of the robustness of the network and its role will be a constant priority for the Commission's work programmes, not only for the year 2015, but also in the future.

2015 will be the first year when the provisions of Regulation (EU) No 652/2014 will apply with regard to the management of expenditure of EU-RLs and therefore, it will be a transitional year. The priorities will follow a common logic over the operational objectives presented above, and will be developed in detail together with EU-RLs in their work programmes. In general terms, focus will be on:

| — | the development of certified reference material and standardised and validated methods for measurement and identification of hazards (chemicals, contaminants, pesticides, pathogens), for the presence of unauthorised GMOs in food and feed, and the detection of unauthorised substances or the unauthorised use of authorised substances; |
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the development of certified reference material and standardised and validated methods for measurement and identification of hazards (chemicals, contaminants, pesticides, pathogens), for the presence of unauthorised GMOs in food and feed, and the detection of unauthorised substances or the unauthorised use of authorised substances;

| — | the analysis of substances and authorised GMOs to enable the verification of compliance with the food and feed and animal health legislation; |
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the analysis of substances and authorised GMOs to enable the verification of compliance with the food and feed and animal health legislation;

| — | the use and communication of information on the adequate analytical methods; |
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the use and communication of information on the adequate analytical methods;

| — | the development of sound analytical capability to detect fraudulent practices (testing for DNA, pesticides, additives). |
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the development of sound analytical capability to detect fraudulent practices (testing for DNA, pesticides, additives).

While core activities and priorities laid down in this work programme will be covered in collaboration with the EU-RLs when establishing their work programmes, a room for manoeuvre is necessary for activities resulting from non-predictable factors (e.g. factors related to the re-emergence of priority diseases, the potential introduction of new diseases, the increasing complexity of supply chains).

1.6.   Description of the activities to be funded

| Pesticides | — | development and validation of new and improved methods for analysing pesticide residues in food of animal origin, cereals and fruits and vegetables; |
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Pesticides

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development and validation of new and improved methods for analysing pesticide residues in food of animal origin, cereals and fruits and vegetables;

| — | provision of scientific and technical assistance to COM concerning limits of quantification and residue definitions in the framework of the review of all existing MRLs laid down in Article 12 of Reg. (EC) 396/2005. |
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provision of scientific and technical assistance to COM concerning limits of quantification and residue definitions in the framework of the review of all existing MRLs laid down in Article 12 of Reg. (EC) 396/2005.

Contaminants

| — | reliability of analysis of dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in feed at levels lower than the maximum level by GC-MS/MS (Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer); |
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reliability of analysis of dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in feed at levels lower than the maximum level by GC-MS/MS (Gas Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer);

| — | specification of metals in food and feed by multi-analytical methods; |
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specification of metals in food and feed by multi-analytical methods;

| — | screening methods for the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in food; |
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screening methods for the presence of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in food;

| — | ensuring reliability of analytical results for the control of mycotoxins, in particular in the light of the new legal requirements (such as e.g. use of screening methods, control of citrinin). |
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ensuring reliability of analytical results for the control of mycotoxins, in particular in the light of the new legal requirements (such as e.g. use of screening methods, control of citrinin).

Residues

| — | method development and dissemination for analysis of residues of veterinary medicinal products (including prohibited substances and banned uses) in food of animal origin; |
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method development and dissemination for analysis of residues of veterinary medicinal products (including prohibited substances and banned uses) in food of animal origin;

| — | technical assistance related to analytical aspects of residue monitoring; |
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technical assistance related to analytical aspects of residue monitoring;

| — | maintenance of the appropriate level of proficiency in NRLs. |
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maintenance of the appropriate level of proficiency in NRLs.

Biological Risks

| — | evaluation of new high quality analytical methods for biological hazards; |
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evaluation of new high quality analytical methods for biological hazards;

| — | improvement of existing methods; |
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improvement of existing methods;

| — | maintenance of the appropriate level of proficiency in the NRLs in order to ensure reliability and efficiency of official control analytical methods; |
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maintenance of the appropriate level of proficiency in the NRLs in order to ensure reliability and efficiency of official control analytical methods;

| — | technical assistance to the Commission related to analytical aspects. |
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technical assistance to the Commission related to analytical aspects.

Food Contact materials, GMOs, feed additives

| — | development and validation of new and improved methods for testing metals migration from ceramic materials in the context of the revision of Council Directive 84/500/EEC (1); |
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development and validation of new and improved methods for testing metals migration from ceramic materials in the context of the revision of Council Directive 84/500/EEC (1);

| — | preparation for accelerated collection of new methods for which method descriptions will be required under Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 (2) including the development of an online database for dissemination purposes; |
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preparation for accelerated collection of new methods for which method descriptions will be required under Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 (2) including the development of an online database for dissemination purposes;

| — | development of high-throughput analytical methods for GMO detection and dissemination to NRLs; |
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development of high-throughput analytical methods for GMO detection and dissemination to NRLs;

| — | delivery of training, information, updates to NRLs and third countries; |
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delivery of training, information, updates to NRLs and third countries;

| — | analysis and testing of fat-soluble vitamins, carotenoids and cobalt in feedingstuffs; |
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analysis and testing of fat-soluble vitamins, carotenoids and cobalt in feedingstuffs;

| — | ensure the implementation of high quality analytical methods and reliability of analytical results. |
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ensure the implementation of high quality analytical methods and reliability of analytical results.

Animal Health

| — | development and implementation of high quality analytical methods for animal diseases; |
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development and implementation of high quality analytical methods for animal diseases;

| — | maintenance of a state of art of proficiency testing ensuring efficiency of control analysis methods. |
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maintenance of a state of art of proficiency testing ensuring efficiency of control analysis methods.

1.7.   Essential criteria

1.   Eligibility criteria

| — | Status of a European Union reference laboratory in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 882/2004, excluding EU-RLs within the Joint Research Centre. |
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Status of a European Union reference laboratory in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 882/2004, excluding EU-RLs within the Joint Research Centre.

2.   Exclusion criteria

The applicants are not in any of the situations of exclusion listed in Articles 106 and 107 of the Financial Regulation.

3.   Award criteria

| — | Conformity with objectives and priorities of the present Commission's work programme for the year 2015. |
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Conformity with objectives and priorities of the present Commission's work programme for the year 2015.

1.8.   Implementation

The work programme will be implemented directly by the Commission.

1.9.   Indicative timetable and indicative amount of the grants awarded without a call for proposals

January 2015.

1.10.   Maximum possible rate of co-financing of the total costs

100 %

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(1)  Council Directive 84/500/EEC of 15 October 1984 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to ceramic articles intended to come into contact with foodstuffs (OJ L 277, 20.10.1984, p. 12).

(2)  Commission Regulation (EU) No 10/2011 of 14 January 2011 on plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food (OJ L 12, 15.1.2011, p. 1).

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