National Reference Laboratories

To ensure the appropriate quality of official testing, based on EU (Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council) and national legal provisions (Veterinary Inspection Act of January 29, 2004, as amended), the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development established National Reference Laboratories at NVRI (Journal of Laws of 2014, item 256, as amended), covering 138 testing areas, of which 82 concern infectious animal diseases and zoonotic diseases, and 56 cover testing areas in the field of sanitary quality of food of animal origin and feed.

National Reference Laboratories play a key role in ensuring high diagnostic and analytical standards in Poland. Their activities focus on cooperation with European Union reference laboratories, conducting training, and supervising the proper functioning of national official laboratories.

Each year, the National Reference Laboratories of NVRI in Puławy participate in over 120 proficiency testing programs and interlaboratory comparisons organized by European Union Reference Laboratories and other authorized entities. In addition, the Institute organizes approximately 230 proficiency tests and interlaboratory comparisons for national official laboratories. On an annual basis, NVRI laboratories perform over 300,000 diagnostic tests.