The Official Controls Regulations 2017/625 requires statutory testing for member states (including NI) to be carried out in an approved laboratory based in the EU. Following the departure of the UK from the EU in January 2021 it is necessary to identify a new supplier of Laboratory services within the EU as part of this procurement exercise. Under the Northern Ireland (NI) Protocol, DAERA must source all official testing either in a laboratory within NI or within the EU. This testing service is not available within NI, so DAERA are procuring the service from within the EU.

The Official Controls Regulations 2017/625 requires statutory testing for member states (including NI) to be carried out in an approved laboratory based in the EU. Following the departure of the UK from the EU in January 2021 it is necessary to identify a new supplier of Laboratory services within the EU as part of this procurement exercise. Under the Northern Ireland (NI) Protocol, DAERA must source all official testing either in a laboratory within NI or within the EU. This testing service is not available within NI, so DAERA are procuring the service from within the EU.