Recent activities of EC4 in the harmonization of clinical chemistry in theEuropean Union

This article describes the recent activities of the European Communities Co nfederation of Clinical Chemistry (EC4). Main goal of EC4 is harmonization of clinical chemistry in the European Union and Europe. EC4's actions conne cted to that are training and registration of professionals, and accreditat ion of laboratories. The 35000 professionals practising clinical chemistry in the EU have different backgrounds (medical, pharmaceutical, science-orie nted, veterinary, or microbiological). Thus, for the harmonization of train ing of clinical chemists, EC4 has published a European: Syllabus for Postgr aduate Training, and instituted a European Union Register for Clinical Chem ists. The Syllabus is an indication of the level of requirements in postgra duate training. The EC4 initiative to implement the European Register for C linical Chemists is based on the 8 years vocational training necessary to o btain sufficient knowledge in clinical chemistry according to the European Syllabus. A guide to the EC4 Register has been published; registration lead s to the title European Clinical Chemist (EurClinChem). The accreditation o f laboratories must be based on a total quality management system. EC4 has described guidelines (essential criteria) which it judges appropriate for e stablishing the quality of medical laboratory service; it does not wish to fulfil the role of an accrediting body. Moreover, a working group has been set up to seek to harmonize the work of national accrediting bodies. Theref ore, it is logical that EC4 monitors the activities of the different standa rdizing bodies that might influence the practice of clinical chemistry in t he EU. Finally, some aspects concerning the future strategy of EC4 are brou ght forward.