The functions of the NRLs are those stipulated in Article 33 of Regulation EC No. 882/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2004,

1. They will collaborate with the reference community laboratory in its sphere of competencies.
2. For their area of competence, they will coordinate the activities of the official laboratories in charge of sample analyses in accordance with Article 11.
3. When applicable, they will organise comparative tests between the national official laboratories and will ensure that these comparative tests receive adequate follow-up.
4. They will be in charge of disseminating to the competent authority and official national laboratories the information provided by the reference community laboratory.
5. They will provide the competent authority with scientific and technical assistance for the implementation of the coordinated control plans that are adopted in accordance with Article 53.
6. They will take charge of other specific functions established in accordance with the procedure referred to in Section 3 of Article 62, notwithstanding the national functions that already corresponds to them.