The OMCL Network's Mission

Its main goals are as follows:

• mutual recognition, within the European Union, of tests carried out by Official Medicines Control Laboratories (OMCLs) at the national level;
• improve communication among the OMCLs via a network, handbooks, and suitable Information Technology (IT) tools (e.g. databases);
• coordinate activities among the OMCLs;
• harmonise working methods within the Network by implementing and maintaining a quality management system referring to a commonly agreed standard, which includes an intensive proficiency testing programme and assessment of the system by peers' audits;
• exchange information on work programmes to optimise the use of expertise, laboratory resources and analytical data available;
• organise collaborative studies on the validation of methods;
• facilitate knowledge and work sharing;
• promote the future development of harmonised standards;
• collaborate with relevant institutions within and beyond Europe; and
• contribute to the establishment of reference substances and preparations.