The EURL TSEs has been designated in 2017 and is a consortium between the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Piemonte, Liguria e Valle d’Aosta (IZSPLV – Torino) and the Istituto Superiore di Sanità (ISS – Roma).

IZSPLV Torino
ISS Roma

Our mission focuses on detection and control of animal TSEs. In particular, the functions and tasks of the EURL have been outlined in the Official Controls Regulation (EU) 2017/625 and, previously, in Annex X to Regulation (EC) No. 999/2001 (the so called “TSE Regulation”) and can be summarised as follows:  

– Provide expertise on the diagnosis and epidemiology of TSEs and scientific and technical assistance to the NRLs and the European Commission.

– Coordinate the methods used in the European Union for the TSE diagnosis and active disease surveillance.

– Regularly assess the quality of rapid and confirmatory methods in use at NRLs.

– Characterize TSE isolates by the established methods.

– Collect and collate data and information on diagnostic methods and results. 

– Develop and maintain the communication network of NRLs.

– Store and supply tissues and reference materials.

– Actively participated in the evaluation of new tests and modifications to existing commercial tests on behalf of the European Commission. 

– Facilitate the training and continuous professional development of national experts through, for example, workshops, annual NRL conferences, guidance notes and ad hoc consultancy.