Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as dioxins, furans, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are environmentally persistent, bioaccumulative, and associated with long-term health risks. POPs accumulate in marine and terrestrial food chains and may enter food, feed, and raw materials through environmental pathways. Eurofins Food Testing UK Ltd, supported by the Eurofins POPs competence centres, provides accredited POPs testing to help you monitor these substances and protect consumers.
Key services
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All major POP groups, including the original 12 “Dirty Dozen”, the 10 additional POPs listed under the Stockholm Convention, and further POPs under scientific review
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Dioxins (PCDD/Fs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), both dioxin-like (DL-PCBs) and non-dioxin-like (NDL-PCBs)
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Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
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Brominated flame retardants, including PBDEs, PBBs and HBCD
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Organochlorine pesticides including DDT, lindane and related legacy compounds
Key matrices
Eurofins provides accredited POPs analysis for a comprehensive range of sample types, including
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Food and feed products of all kinds
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Food and feed contact materials
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Environmental samples such as water, soil, sediment, plants, waste and sewage sludge
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Air samples (emissions, immissions and indoor air)
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Human biomonitoring samples such as blood, breast milk and adipose tissue
Quality assurance beyond accreditation
Our POP laboratories are accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025:2018. Key features include
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Ultra-trace analysis using state-of-the-art instrumentation
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Use of certified standards and reference materials
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Regular participation in international proficiency test, external and inter laboratory (e.g. Folkehelsa, Quasimeme, FAPAS, UMEA, BCR studies)
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Active involvement in method-development working groups (DIN, CEN)
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Ongoing research and in-house method development
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Expert advice and technical support from specialists with long-standing experience
- An extensive and continually growing portfolio of scientific publications and conference presentations
Our POPs competence centres
Eurofins GfA Lab Service GmbH
Eurofins GfA Lab Service GmbH in Hamburg is the Eurofins global competence centre for POPs. It is one of the few laboratories worldwide capable of analysing nearly all POPs banned or regulated under the Stockholm Convention in-house. The laboratory also provides full PCB scopes, including DL-PCBs and NDL-PCBs (ICES-6), as required under international regulatory frameworks including California Proposition 65.
Eurofins BioPharma Product Testing Hamburg GmbH
Eurofins BioPharma Product Testing Hamburg GmbH operates the world's only GMP-certified laboratory offering POPs testing to pharmacopeial standards (USP/EP), inspected by the FDA and German authorities. This supports food, feed, seed, and pharmaceutical applications requiring GMP-level quality.
Why choose Eurofins for POPs testing?
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Industry-leading expertise with a pioneering history in POPs analysis
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High analytical capacity enabling fast turnaround times and large-scale monitoring programmes
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Capability to deliver both routine and ultra-trace POPs analysis with proven quality assurance
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GMP-compliant testing where required for pharmaceutical and specialised applications
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Integrated global network enabling harmonised competencies and regulatory support
Regulatory background EU, NI and Great Britain (GB)*
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Global - Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) (since 2004) - International treaty targeting elimination or restriction of persistent organic pollutants
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EU - Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 POPs Regulation: enforces bans and restrictions on listed substances across the EU and in NI
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GB - Retained POPs Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 - on persistent organic pollutants; continues to apply post-Brexit as assimilated law with domestic amendments
*This information is provided for general guidance only and may not reflect the latest legal requirements. Eurofins accepts no liability for its accuracy. For the latest updates relevant to your target market, please contact your local Eurofins laboratory. Our specialists provide tailored support through our horizon scanning and food safety consultancy services.
Contact us
To arrange testing or learn more about our POPs testing and consultancy services contact your local food testing laboratory; submit an enquiry or call +44 (0) 845 604 6740.
