On Thursday, 7 December 2006 the European Commission will inaugurate the Community Reference Laboratory for Food Contact Materials at the European Commission's Directorate General Joint Research Centre (DG JRC) in ISPRA, Italy.
Food packaging plays an important role in protecting our food from deterioration. Therefore food packaging has to be safe and migration of chemical substances into the food needs to be strictly controlled. This requires harmonised analytical methods and reference materials to guarantee the same level of consumer protection all over Europe.
Europe widereference capabilities – boosting consumers' trust With its internationally recognised experience in the analysis of food contact materials, the Community Reference Laboratory for Food Contact Materials (CRL- FCM) will not only provide national control laboratories with harmonised analytical tools, but it will also co-ordinate the Network of National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) to foster information exchange, capacity building and training. The CRL-FCM aims to be a one-stop portal supporting the European Commission, the industry and the enforcement laboratories and connecting aspects of science and data from exposure assessment (European Food Safety Authority - EFSA), to standardisation (CEN) through to enforcement and stakeholders in the food and feed industry. The inaugural event on 7 December will welcome Robert Madelin, Director General Health and Consumer Protection, Dr Roland Schenkel, Director General of DG Joint Research Centre and Mrs Geslaine Laneelle, European Food Safety Authority Executive Director, as well as speakers from the European consumer protection association, the confederation of food and drink industry and the food packaging industry in reinforcing the importance of the CRL and the collaboration it creates in driving scientific excellence and efficient control and ensuring safety and confidence in the food chain.
What will be on offer to media?
Journalists will have ample interview and networking opportunities with participants, experts and high level EC officials. In addition to the official programme and launch, the press is invited to participate at a specific tailored media programme, including a pre-event media/expert dinner, a press conference and guided visits of laboratories.
Media programme at a glance
Wednesday 6 December
Media-scientist dinner
Thursday, 7 December
10h00 Media registration
10h30 – 12h00 Official inauguration ceremony
12h00 – 13h00 Press conference
13h00 – 14h30 Buffet Lunch
14h30 – 16h30 On-site laboratory visits:
- Community Reference Laboratory for Food Contact Materials
- Community Reference Laboratory for GM Food & Feed