The Commission Implementing Regulation 2021/808 which lays down requirements for the performance of methods for the analysis of veterinary drug residues has entered into force on 10 June, 2021. In order to support the implementation of the new CIR, COM has asked the EURLs to provide guidance documents dealing with specific topics which might require supplemental information. The EURLs have drafted several documents, which have been presented during the meetings of the Working Group on Residues of Veterinary Medicinal Products in Food of Animal Origin and during the EURL workshops. The guidance documents are the EURL interpretation of CIR (EU) 2021/808 and are meant as a support for all laboratories, but they are not seen as mandatory to follow and other approaches are possible, if comparable results are achieved. Still, the guidance documents also aim at a harmonised interpretation of CIR (EU) 2021/808 and the EURLs have therefore initiated commenting processes involving the NRLs. Regarding the EURL Guidance document on ongoing quality control the commenting process has come to an end, the document has been finalised and is available here. The comments for the draft EURL Guidance document on method extension have also been reviewed. The first official version is currently in preparation and will soon be published, as well.

We are pleased to announce that a draft version of the EURL Guidance document on confirmation method validation has been compiled and submitted to the NRLs for their comments and suggestions. All NRLs are asked to provide their feedback to the EURLs by 15 September, 2021. As a final step all comments will then be reviewed and the draft will be amended. It is expected that the final version of this document will be published towards the end of 2021.