EU allocates EUR 800 000 to the readiness of the UN mechanism for investigating biological weapons use — including harmonised validation of analytical laboratories, external quality assessment and proficiency testing
By Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/2176 of 28 September 2026, published on 29 September, the Union supports the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) in strengthening the UN Secretary-General’s Mechanism (UNSGM). One of the four specific objectives is to harmonise the validation of analytical laboratories on the UNSGM roster and the arrangements for their cooperation with the mechanism.
- According to UNODA the mechanism is not a standing body: UN Member States nominate experts, consultants and analytical laboratories to a roster from which they can be called upon for an investigation, and UNODA maintains these rosters. Investigations of alleged chemical weapons use are in principle carried out by the OPCW, whereas for biological weapons the UNSGM is the only international investigation mechanism — which is why efforts to strengthen UNSGM readiness have in recent years focused on biological events.
- Rostered laboratories may be asked to analyse samples collected during an investigation using validated methods, under stringent chain-of-custody and quality assurance requirements. They must meet validation and performance requirements, including through inter-laboratory calibration studies, which also establish the collective ability to detect and identify the full range of biological agents and toxins. The states hosting the laboratories are to ensure the transfer of samples, including customs and quarantine clearance, without delay.
- The decision states that inter-laboratory initiatives have, with a few exceptions, been conducted on an ad hoc basis. UNODA will consult laboratories, consultants and states to develop harmonised validation modalities — covering inter-laboratory calibration studies, external quality assessment (EQAE) and proficiency testing — as well as procedures for the transfer, handling and disposal of samples; it will hire a consultant for up to five months and fund up to eight places for laboratories at annual workshops.
- The other objectives cover expert competence and interoperability, logistics and equipment support, and outreach and coordination. The financial reference amount is EUR 800 000; the decision entered into force on adoption and expires 36 months after the financing agreement with UNODA is concluded (or after six months if no agreement has been concluded by then). The Union previously supported the UNSGM by Decisions 2012/421/CFSP, (CFSP) 2016/51 and (CFSP) 2020/732.