Division 3.2.1.3 Enhance capacity building (Annex — points 1.1.1-1.1.4)

Managing and assessing any threat to health requires the integration of epidemiological capacities, service reference laboratory capacities and internationally recognised research laboratory capacities. An appropriate framework for EU reference laboratory activities is required to strengthen capacity building, co-operation and networking, and to offer recommendations on principles and good practice.

As a result of 2008 actions, state-of-the-art of existing national systems and ways to promote cooperation and sharing of facilities and equipment will be identified.

• Development of Community reference laboratories — Identify the state-of-the-art of existing national systems in order to appreciate the added value of Community reinforcement in terms of: capacity building, networking, fostering of EU Centres, recommendations on standards for reference activities. [Financing mechanism: Calls for tender]

• Sharing facilities and equipment — Mutualising of logistic, structures, informatics, technologies, tools capacities, expertise in particular for chemical and radio nuclear detection and protection [Financing mechanism: Joint action].