FAO and European Union strengthen Uzbekistan’s laboratory capacity for safer chemicals management
Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), through the European Union-funded project Technical Assistance for the Sound Management of Hazardous Chemicals, has launched the second phase of specialized laboratory training for staff of the National Center on Environmental Monitoring (NCEM) in Uzbekistan.
The four-day training taking place from 10 to 13 August in Tashkent aims to strengthen national capacities in chemical analysis, pesticide residue testing and environmental monitoring.
The training includes the third and fourth modules of a four-part programme designed to enhance the technical expertise of NCEM specialists and support the laboratory’s progress towards international accreditation. Building on the first phase delivered in June 2026, the programme focuses on analytical method validation in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requirements, as well as chemical safety and hazard management in laboratory settings.
The first module of this phase, which will be held on 10–11 August, provides practical instruction on method validation principles and key performance characteristics, including selectivity, calibration, recovery, precision, and limits of detection and quantification. Participants are also receiving specialized guidance on validation approaches for the LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS analytical systems being procured through the project. As part of the training, participants will develop a draft validation plan for a multi-residue pesticide analysis method and complete a data evaluation exercise.
The second module, scheduled for 12–13 August, focuses on chemical safety and hazard management in analytical laboratories. Topics include chemical hazard identification, risk assessment, safe storage and handling practices, engineering controls, personal protective equipment, emergency preparedness and hazardous waste management. The training also includes a practical chemical safety audit aimed at strengthening compliance with occupational health, safety and environmental requirements. Expected outputs include a workplace risk assessment, a hazardous waste management plan and a draft standard operating procedure on chemical safety.
"Strong laboratories are built on confidence in every result they produce, and that confidence begins with well-validated analytical methods," said Mohammad Nazem Shirazi, International Laboratory Specialist from FAO. "Through this training, NCEM specialists are gaining the practical skills to independently validate analytical methods, implement robust quality control procedures, and produce reliable, internationally recognized results for pesticide residues in environmental samples — capabilities that are essential for evidence-based environmental monitoring, regulatory decision-making, and the sound management of hazardous chemicals in Uzbekistan."
The European Union-funded FAO project Technical Assistance for the Sound Management of Hazardous Chemicals is a EUR 3.9 million initiative that supports Uzbekistan in reducing environmental degradation through improved pesticide management, strengthened chemicals governance and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices.
