National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) are a UK wide network of specialist laboratories responsible for maintaining standards for the routine testing of feed, food and animal health. They also provide advice and support to official laboratories on methods for official control testing, ensuring the delivery of risk-based and proportionate food enforcement to protect consumers.
FSS has a legal obligation to designate NRLs for food and feed in Scotland, while the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has responsibility to designate NRLs in other UK nations. FSS and Food Standards Agency jointly designate relevant food and feed NRLs. The FSA also designates food and feed NRLs providing specific EU requirements for Northern Ireland.
Defra has a legal obligation to designate NRLs for animal health and live animals in Great Britain (GB). This role is undertaken by DAERA for Northern Ireland (NI).
In GB, NRLs are appointed under Regulation (EU) 2017/625 for Official Feed and Food Controls, as amended and retained in UK legislation under Statutory Instrument 2020/1481.