From August 14 to August 16, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) " Regional Meeting on Proficiency Testing Scheme Review and Inter-Laboratory Collaboration" jointly hosted by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS), Institute of Agricultural Quality Standards and Testing Technology (IQSTAP), was successfully held in Xiamen, Fujian. More than 30 representatives from the IAEA and 19 Asian and Arab League countries, including China, Pakistan, the Philippines, Syria, Iraq and Oman, attended the meeting. Prof. Qian Yongzhong, director general of IQSTAP attended and delivered an opening speech, and relevant leaders of the Department of International Cooperation of the China Atomic Energy Agency attended and delivered speeches.

During the meeting, the " General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories" (ISO/IEC 17025:2017) was firstly interpreted. All participants think that the proficiency testing (PTs) schemes and inter-laboratory comparison are very important, closely connected with quality management and accreditation, and could significantly improve capability and credibility of laboratory. Subsequently, the participants actively shared and exchanged the annual progress and technical experiences of proficiency testing and inter-laboratory cooperation in food safety laboratories in various countries. At the same time, the shortcomings and plans of the laboratory were put forward to jointly improve the assurance capability for food safety and agro-products quality and safety. At the end of the meeting, the participants discussed regional meetings, technical training, matching support and other work plans for cooperation projects in 2025 according to the priorities of each region.

This meeting is a part of works within the framework of the IAEA technical cooperation project RAS5096 “Strengthening Multi-Stakeholder Food Safety Monitoring Programmes for Chemical Contaminants and Residues in Plant and Animal Products Using Nuclear/Isotopic Techniques”. This regional meeting further strengthened the good partnership between the CAAS and IAEA, and consolidated the work of the “Collaborating Centre for Food Safety and Quality” jointly established by the two parties. Meanwhile, it is of great significance to effectively expand the promotion and application of Chinese technologies on food safety and agro-products quality and safety in the Belt and Road countries, significantly strengthen cooperation with them, and enhance the international influences.

By Jia Qi