Lexikon

see Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP)

the Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP) is one of the seven scientific institutes of the Joint Research Centre (JRC), of the European Commission. Its mission is to protect the interests and health of the consumer in the framework of EU legislation on chemicals, food and consumer products.

IHCP co-operates a number of policy domains which are relevant to consumer protection and health of European citizens. The most relevant areas are:

• Alternative Methods and ECVAM (European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods)
• GMOs
• Nanotechnology
• Consumer Products and Nutrition
• Health and Environment

In some of these areas IHCP operates Community Reference Laboratories or offices which coordinate a particular activity in collaboration with national laboratories in the European Union Member States. The two Community Reference Laboratories (CRL) are:

1. The Community Reference Laboratory on Food Contact Materials (CRL-FCM) and
2. The Community Reference Laboratory for GM Food and Feed (CRL-GMFF)

And the centres/officea are:

1. The European Centre for Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM)
2. The European Office for Wine, Alcoholic and Spirit Drinks (BEVABS)

Source: http://ihcp.jrc.ec.europa.eu/