16th meeting of the EPPO Panel on Diagnostics and Quality Assurance
Vienna 2026-04-20/21
The EPPO Panel on Diagnostics and Quality Assurance convened in Vienna at the kind invitation of the Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES). The meeting was attended by 19 Panel members and one observer and was chaired by Ms Trontin (EPPO Secretariat), with the support of Mr Aoutil (EPPO Secretariat). This Panel considers all horizontal aspects of diagnostics (e.g. development of horizontal Standards on diagnostics, revision of the instructions for authors of Diagnostic Standards) and oversees the work of the five specialized Panels on Diagnostics.
EPPO Diagnostic Standards reviewed during the meeting
PM 7/129 DNA barcoding as an identification tool for a number of regulated pests
The Panel reviewed the comments received during the first stage of the country consultation Horizontal comments received on the group specific Standards were also reviewed. The Standards will be finalized, circulated to the Panels and presented for approval to the Working Party on Phytosanitary Regulations in June 2026.
PM 7/76 Use of EPPO Diagnostic Standards
A proposal for definitions for detection, identification, and confirmation was presented. The Panel agreed on definitions for the terms detection and identification but considered that a definition of confirmation is not needed. The proposed definitions will be circulated to specific Panels on Diagnostics for their opinion.
PM 7/98 Specific requirements for laboratories preparing accreditation for a plant pest diagnostic activity
The Panel reviewed the Supporting documents and agreed to delete the Supporting document S2 and to add two additional examples as supporting information (a procedure for handling non-conformities and a procedure on the evaluation of measurement uncertainty). Furthermore, the Panel discussed a proposal to add guidelines for controls as supporting information in PM 7/98. Finally, the Panel discussed the need to revise Appendix 5 (Tables giving detailed guidance for the validation process by field). The organisation of a workshop to review this Appendix was proposed.
PM 7/147 (1) Guidelines for the production of biological reference material
The Panel discussed and reviewed two examples on the use of the Standard and agreed to publish them as Supporting information via an addendum to the Standard. In addition, the possibility to prepare simplified illustrations to raise awareness about the production of reference material will be explored.
Other topics
Discussion on the need for new horizontal Standards
The Panel discussed the possibility of developing a horizontal Standard on nucleic acid extraction. The Panel agreed that describing procedures used in different fields in a horizontal Standard is not possible. preparation of general guidelines on nucleic acid extraction and nucleic acid quality will be further explored based on the outputs of ongoing research projects (e.g. IVENAD). Panel discussed the proposal from the Panel on Diagnostics on Bacteriology to develop a horizontal Standard on tracing and tracking. It was suggested that a paper could be prepared by the Panel on Diagnostics on Bacteriology.
Revision of the EPPO Instructions for authors of Diagnostic Standards
The Panel discussed whether Diagnostic Standards should only mention recommended tests. The Panel agreed that, in some cases, other tests could be mentioned if inclusion is duly justified. The Panel also addressed various comments and suggestions received from other pest-specific Panels regarding the instructions to authors.
Collaboration with the European co-operation for Accreditation (EA)
Updates on developments of EA documents relevant to the Panel were shared, and a discussion was held on revising the plant health example to be proposed for inclusion in the next revision of EA 4/18 Guidance on the Level and Frequency of Proficiency Testing Participation.
EPPO databases on diagnostics
The EPPO Secretariat provided an overview of the EPPO Database on diagnostic expertise and presented the work carried out on the EPPO-Q-bank database in 2025.
Communication and events
The Panel was updated on the organization of the EPPO Conference on Diagnostics. Information was shared on the webinar addressing the specificities of plant health accreditation for National Accreditation Bodies, to be organized in collaboration with EA. The Panel also suggested to consider organizing a workshop on the validation of tests, in view of a revision of PM 7/98 Appendix 5 (see above), as well as a workshop on the implementation of HTS tests in diagnostic laboratories.
Next Panel meeting
The next meeting of the Panel on Diagnostics and Quality Assurance will be held in the first quarter of 2027.
Participants
The composition of the EPPO Panel on Diagnostics and Quality Assurance can be found on the EPPO website.