Reference Centres

Since the early 1990s, the most important international health organisations, such as the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Union, have designated the Istituto Zooprofilattico of Teramo as a Collaborating Centre and Reference Laboratory in specific areas of expertise. Through these designations, the Institute provides training, offers technical consultancy and support, contributes to the standardisation of diagnostic techniques, the development of disease control strategies, and the formulation of sanitary regulations for the international trade of animals and animal products.

In addition, the National Reference Centres, located within the Istituti Zooprofilattici Sperimentali, serve as highly specialised operational units. They are true Centres of Excellence for the entire National Health System and for the international organisations with which they collaborate.

Article 33 of Regulation (EC) No. 882/2004 stipulates that each Member State of the European Union must designate a National Reference Laboratory for various relevant thematic areas. Currently, six such laboratories are based at the Institute.

The Istituto Zooprofilattico of Abruzzo and Molise serves as a technical body not only for the Ministry of Health, but also for the two Regional Authorities within its jurisdiction, which have entrusted it with additional high-level responsibilities at the regional level.