16 | STATE GENERAL LABORATORY (EHTF)”–WHO Europe for the implementation of the Ostrava Declaration on tackling environmental health impacts. y The International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT) working groups. y The International Network of Analytical Laboratories for the Measurement of Environmental Radioactivity (ALMERA). y The evaluation of research papers (reviews) for their approval for publication in international reputable journals or books. y International conferences with presentations of scientific papers and posters. RELIABILITY AND EFFICIENCY The efficiency and reliability of a dynamically evolving institution are fundamental conditions for its stability and growth. As a result of long-lasting efforts, the SGL has been able to simultaneously apply two quality management systems in order to guarantee a more integrated approach: y International standard EN ISO / IEC 17025:2017: Since 2002 the SGL has been accredited according to this standard by the Greek Accreditation Body (ESYD), and since 2015 it has been accredited by the National Accreditation Body (“The Cyprus Organisation for the Promotion of Quality (CYS-CYSAB)”), within the context of Regulation (EC) No. 765/2008, and y Common Assessment Framework (CAF): SGL was one of the first services in Cyprus that started in 2005 the implementation of CAF, a system through which an organisation carries out self-evaluation and sets benchmarks for its performance. To achieve the efficiency and reliability objectives set, the SGL has focused on the following: y Quality Assurance – Accreditation System. y Implementation of Quality Management System. y Implementation of the Common Assessment Framework (CAF). y Development and implementation of the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) which covers environmental factors. OBJECTIVES FULFILLED IN 2022 y Expansion of the control, monitoring and surveillance plans. Implementation of the monitoring/ surveillance/control programmes (in all 62) covering a total of 28.776 analysed samples and 667.513 parameters in 2022 (compared to 2021 where 28.475 samples were analysed with 587.634 parameters tested). The SGL continues to apply multi-residual methods to determine more parameters with fewer samples while giving a more representative picture of the sample’s situation and more effective control at a reduced cost, and to cover new parameters on a prioritisation basis. y Infrastructure development and advancement of laboratory equipment. A total of €600.000 from national funds was spent in purchasing state-of-the-art equipment. y Active contribution to dietary risk assessment at national and European level by processing and evaluating the actual food consumption data of Cypriots, using its own upgraded deterministic model “ImproRisk”. y Further development of the Information Technology (IT) Unit’s capacity and ability to: – technically respond to EFSA’s requirements for data transmissions, – enhance the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS-Labvantage) in order to improve the quality of the data, and – contribute to the Cyprus “OPEN DATA” platform. y Effective contribution and support for the national policy/strategy in areas of its competence, among others, through its participation in relevant national Councils, including the “Food Safety Council” and the “Cyprus National Addiction Authority”, in national Committees and in Technical Committees & Working Groups. y Communication/Dissemination of knowledge and information via specific publications, website update, interviews to the media, lectures and presentations in workshops and meetings (a number of them online).
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