The WOAH Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis is committed to providing technical and scientific assistance, as well as expert consultancy, on issues related to the surveillance, control, and diagnosis of these diseases. The Laboratory includes the departments of Serology, Epidemiology, Diagnostic Microbiology, Anatomic Pathology, Bacteriology, Innovation and Development, Production, and Training.

In particular, the WOAH Reference Laboratory for Brucellosis is dedicated to:

• Using, promoting, and disseminating validated diagnostic methods in accordance with WOAH standards.
  Recommending prescribed methods or vaccines as defined in the WOAH Standards Manual.
• Acquiring and distributing reference materials and reagents required for the diagnosis and control of brucellosis to national laboratories within the Istituti Zooprofilattici Sperimentali.
• Preparing these materials in compliance with WOAH standards and promoting their use.
• Providing scientific and technical training for personnel from other countries, both for laboratory testing and for epidemiological studies and risk analysis related to brucellosis.
• Conducting and coordinating scientific and technical studies in collaboration with other Centres, Laboratories, or international Organisations.
• Organising and presenting twinning projects (WOAH Laboratory Twinning Project) involving national laboratories from Member States.
• Contributing to the revision of the Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals and the Terrestrial Animal Health Code of WOAH.
• Developing, standardising, and validating new procedures for the diagnosis and control of brucellosis in accordance with WOAH principles.
• Providing diagnostic support and technical-scientific expertise for the development of brucellosis control measures.
• Collecting, processing, analysing, publishing, and disseminating data and information on brucellosis.
• Offering scientific and technical training, within its recognised competencies, to personnel from institutions in WOAH Member Countries.
• Participating in international scientific events.
• Ensuring the application of quality assurance principles in laboratories.
• Promoting and verifying the implementation of biosafety and biocontainment measures appropriate for handling material suspected of containing Brucella spp.
• Organising and participating in scientific events on behalf of WOAH.
• Establishing and maintaining a network with other WOAH Reference Laboratories for Brucellosis.
• Organising interlaboratory proficiency testing at national and international levels for laboratories involved in brucellosis diagnosis to ensure the quality of analytical results.
• Providing WOAH with the expertise of its specialists.