State General Laboratory Annual Report 2019

18 State General laboratory Annual Report 2019 4. Chemical safety of products from the market of the Republic of Cyprus: control of compliance according to the requirements of the REACH Regulation 5. Determination of Specific Migration of Substances from Materials in Contact with Food and/or Children Toys 6. Microbiological control of Cyprus sea water during the 2019 swimming period 7. Microbiological control of both dental units and distribution water of public hospitals, for the presence of Legionella ii. Continued its participation in the ongoing projects: 1. "Monitoring of the enrichment of Ezousa ground water" 2. "Prospects for the cultivation of stevia in Cyprus" : A three-year research programme which has been launched in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, for the determination of glycosides and the development of a methodology for the antioxidant properties of stevia leaves (2017-2019). DEVELOPMENT POLICY AND STRATEGY In the context of the Administrative Reform of the Public Sector, the SGL modified its strategic plan and con- nected it with its activities for implementation. At the same time, it has revised its performance indicators which have now been linked to the more effective monitoring of budget implementation, in connection with its strategic planning. The development policy and strategy of the SGL is based on its vision and mission and it sets the organisation’s priorities which aim towards:  its contribution, through its scientific work, to the economic and social development of the country,  its significant contribution, as a counsellor of the State, in responding promptly and in a reliable manner to crises and problems that cover areas under its remit, having an active, scientifically robust and meaningful role in the implementation of the National Strategy,  its sustainability, as a high quality and state-of-the-art center of integrated services, expertise and applied research whose scientific contribution can be classified among the best in Europe, and  its development as a Center of Excellence and Regional Reference Center in the areas of its competence (food quality and safety, pharmaceuticals, consumer products, environmental protection and crime investigation).