Training

We organise training for the NRLs and on ad-hoc basis:

• Training with themes for NRLs
• Training with ad-hoc programmes
  

Training with themes for NRLs

Migration Modelling

The release of substances from polymeric materials to contacting media obeys in most cases the law of diffusion because the diffusion process is the rate determining step. Due to advanced understanding of the mass transfer processes and translation into science-based computational tools, migration modelling has often become the method of choice for compliance testing by industry. Official controls should be able to have state of the art knowledge on theory and practice on the latest software's in order to perform their duties examining certificates of compliance.

A first course was organised in 2006. In 2010 an advanced training was organised (see Course programme and presentations). As a follow up, JRC prepared a set of 10 modelling exercises from simple to complex. The set of exercises covered monolayers, multi-layers, kitchen articles, gaskets and adhesives. This exercise was aimed as a proficiency testing which circulated to Member States official controls with a one month time for completion. A two-month free use was kindly granted for the 3 software's to all NRLs to practice the exercises. All results were compiled and evaluated by the EURL and the exercises were corrected and discussed in presence of the expert trainers on 30 June 2010. This completed the activities foreseen in 2010 on migration modelling in support to Directive 2002/72/EC and amendments. The customer satisfactions surveys have been very positive, and the success was such that official controls agreed to have periodic test (exercise set and correction) in 2011 to maintain the acquired capacity.

Training with ad-hoc programmes

2010

• Participation as tutor in the UK NRL training day
• Training on migration modelling for all NRLs:
• Training week for third countries: 2 delegates from official control laboratories of respectively Singapore and Indonesia (National Agency for Drug and Food Control of Indonesia) and 4 delegates under the TAIEX programme public institutions and health ministry from Turkey.

2009

• Training for  the FVO prior to a mission in China
• Training week for a delegate from the Consumer Products Testing Laboratory of Vietnam

2008

• Training week No2 on Food contact materials testing of the Thailand Department of Science Service,
• Participation as tutor on behalf of DG SANCO to the  training on EU best practices in China in Yangjiang (Guandong) and Hangzhou (Zheijiang) - EU-China Trade project
• Training (1.5 month) organised for official Chinese controls (delegate of the Bureau and the Administration for Quality, Standards, Inspection and Quarantine (ACSIQ).
• Training week for a delegate from NRL- Luxembourg

2007

• Participation as tutor in the DG SANCO programme TrainSaferFood for EU states (2 sessions)
• Participation as tutor in the programme on EU food standards in South-East Asia (5 lectures)
• Training week No1 on Food contact materials testing of the Thailand Department of Science Service (3 delegates)

2006

• Training of DG SANCO Food and Veterinary Office upon their request on food contact materials (analytical controls)