Article 33 of Regulation (EC) No 882/2004 states :

National reference laboratories shall:

a. Collaborate with the Community reference laboratory in their area of competence;

b. Coordinate, for their area of competence, the activities of official laboratories responsible for the analysis of samples in accordance with Article 11; *

c. Where appropriate, organise comparative tests between the official national laboratories and ensure an appropriate follow-up of such comparative testing;

d. Ensure the dissemination to the competent authority and official national laboratories of information that the Community reference laboratory supplies;

e. Provide scientific and technical assistance to the competent authority for the implementation of coordinated control plans adopted in accordance with Article 53;*

f. Be responsible for carrying out other specific duties provided for in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 62(3)* , without prejudice to existing additional national duties.

*(Article 11 details the methods of sampling and analysis, Article 53 gives further details regarding control plans, Article 62(3) defines the rules for committees)