The European Network of Official Medicines Control Laboratories (OMCL) established in 1995 is the consequence of a joint decision taken by the European Commission and the Council of Europe to promote coordination and so avoid duplication between European countries in terms of the quality control of identical medicinal products on the market. The OMCL Network, which is open to member states and observers of the European Pharmacopoeia Convention, thus ensures that patients receive the same and the expected quality of pharmaceutical products throughout Europe and beyond.