Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), contaminants found in food and feed, are a group of toxic and persistent chemicals whose effects on human health include dermal toxicity, immunotoxicity, reproductive effects and teratogenicity, endocrine disruption and carcinogenicity. The environmental presence of these substances coupled with several accidents (e.g. Yusho (Japan), Yucheng (Taiwan), Seveso (Italy) have triggered a deep concern from the international community for their reduction and control. Moreover, there is considerable public, scientific and regulatory concern over the negative effects on human health and on biota in the environment of long-term exposure to even the smallest amounts of Halogenated Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).

Analytical chemistry is used to support collaborative studies of environmental pathways of toxic chemicals, fundamental aspects of toxicology and health and an emergency and contingency response. Given the growing importance of chlorinated persistent contaminants other than PCBs and dioxins, of brominated and fluorinated persistent contaminants for the safety of feed and food, the scope of the EU reference laboratory (EURL) for dioxins and PCBs in feed and food was extended to all halogenated persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in feed and food in 2018. Therefore the EU reference laboratory for dioxins and PCBs in feed and food was renamed as EU reference laboratory for halogenated persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in feed and food to reflect this extension of scope (Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/192). The tasks of EURLs are defined by Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council.