The measurements and testing programme of the European Union in the field of biomedical analysis: reference materials and cooperation between European EQAS.

Abut twenty years ago, the European Commission established the BCR (Bureau Communautaire de Référence) programme with the objective of improving the quality of the results of measurements, in order to assist in the establishment of reliable and comparable measurement systems in the EU member states. Its usual procedure consists of collaborative studies--involving preferably laboratories from all member states--in terms of: intercomparisons, research and development and preparation and certification of reference materials when necessary. The aim of the biomedical activities of the programme is to harmonize results obtained from analyses of samples of tissues and biological fluids. In the current programme "measurements and testing" (BCR's successor) emphasis is focused on two categories of activities: 1) feasibility preparation and certification of reference materials (including the appropriate method development when necessary) and 2) collaboration between EU national external quality assessment schemes (EQA).