New Technical Developments at Eurofins Make Dioxin Analyses Fast and Affordable.

BRUSSELS & MUNSTER & HAMBURG -- With new technical developments Eurofins speeds up dioxin analyses and makes them more affordable. In the past, the analysis of dioxins was often a special discipline far removed from routine testing and thus complex, expensive and time-consuming. In the past few weeks the media have reported intensively on the discovery of dioxin-contaminated feeding stuff, which has led to ca. 650 farms (especially pig and poultry producers) in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany temporarily being put under quarantine. This situation and other dioxin scandals that have arisen emphasise just how important regular controls and the right analyses of food and feeding stuffs are. The current crisis was provoked by an inadequate analytical strategy, in which only PCBs were analysed instead of PCBs and dioxins.

Apart from the price, the long turn-around time of the tests has also been a reason to frequently forgo dioxin analyses. What help is it knowing 4 weeks later that a product, that has already been processed, was contaminated?

Eurofins has recently implemented new, fast methods of extraction and automated clean-up steps that revolutionise the turn-around times of dioxin analyses. Results can now be obtained on request after 24 - 36 hours instead of several weeks. With the newly opened state-of-the-art laboratory in Hamburg, one of the most modern laboratories in Europe, Eurofins has increased its analytical capacity to over 1,500 dioxin samples per month in this facility alone. This enormous capability is unique in the world and is ensured by 10 high-resolution GC/MS systems. Sufficient resources are especially important in crisis situations in order to be in a position to guarantee fast turn-around-times even then. In addition to this, the new laboratory building has been designed to provide optimum sample throughput, resulting in increased efficiency and enabling Eurofins to lower prices for its clients. The increased capacity and the considerably reduced turn-around-times will enable the feed industry to implement a positive control release system rather than a monitoring programme. This will significantly reduce the risk of dioxin contamination.

Apart from the analysis itself, the specialists in dioxin analyses of the Eurofins Group also offer its clients expert advice both for setting up preventive measures as well as in crisis situations, for example in order to identify the source of a contamination or to work out possible avoidance strategies or sampling plans.

Eurofins' dioxin laboratories GfA (Munster and Hamburg), ERGO (Hamburg), Oekometric (Bayreuth) and LEM (Strasbourg) are the world market leaders in the sampling and analysis of dioxins and perform more than 20,000 analyses of dioxins, furans and dioxin-like PCBs a year.

Additional information:

The analysis of dioxins and furans requires state-of-the-art technology to detect even minute traces of these Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). This is necessary, because even very small amounts can severely damage human and animal health and, consequently, strict maximum levels have been imposed by the European Community.

The high quality within the Eurofins Group is documented by more than 20 years of experience in the analysis of chloro-organic traces, more than 600 scientific publications and the successful participation in more than 500 round-robin tests. Eurofins holds all major accreditations (DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2000) and government approvals for dioxin testing and sampling from several countries among which are Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and France.

Eurofins' very strong position regarding the analysis and sampling of dioxins and other POPs enables the Group to offer its clients a unique combination of advantages:

--Short turn-around times; express analyses in 24 -36 h

--Best price-performance ratio

--Enormous laboratory capacity

--Wide range of parameters and matrices

--Advisory service to minimise risk and support in situations of crisis

--High international reputation

--Accreditation acc. to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025:2000

--Analyses in accordance with current EC regulations

--Successful participation in national and international round-robin tests

For further information please visit www.eurofins.de as well as http://www.gfa-ms.de.

Notes for the editor:

Eurofins - a global leader in bio-analysis

Eurofins Scientific is a life sciences company operating internationally to provide a comprehensive range of analytical testing services to clients from a wide range of industries including the pharmaceutical, food and environmental sectors.

With over 3,000 staff in more than 50 laboratories across 13 countries, Eurofins offers a portfolio of over 10,000 reliable analytical methods for evaluating the authenticity, origin, safety, identity, composition and purity of biological substances and products. The Group is committed to provide its customers with high quality services, accurate results in time and, if requested, expert advice by our highly qualified staff.

The Eurofins Group is one of the global market leaders in this field of applied life sciences. It intends to pursue its dynamic growth strategy and expand both, its technology portfolio and its geographic reach. Through R&D, in-licensing and acquisitions, the Group draws on the latest developments in the field of biotechnology to offer its clients unique analytical solutions and the most comprehensive range of testing methods.

As one of the most innovative and quality oriented international player in its industry, Eurofins is ideally positioned to support its clients' increasingly stringent quality and safety standards and the demands of regulatory authorities around the world.

The shares of Eurofins Scientific are listed on Euronext in the Paris (ISIN FR0000038259) and Frankfurt (WKN 910251) Stock Exchanges (Reuters EUFI.LN, Bloomberg ERSC FP, ESF, EUFI.DE).

Important disclaimer:

This press release contains forward-looking statements and estimates that involve risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking statements and estimates contained herein represent the judgement of Eurofins Scientific as of the date of this release. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees for future performance, and the forward-looking events discussed in this release may not occur. Eurofins Scientific disclaims any intent or obligation to update any of these forward-looking statements and estimates. All statements and estimates are made based on the data available to the Company as of the date of publication, but no guarantee can be made as to their validity.