On 17th June 2025, the NF102 Validation Commission on alternative methods of analysis for the food industry made its comeback! It was held at the AFNOR Certification premises in hybrid and was chaired by its chairman François BOURDICHON (SODIAAL International) and Hélène MURET (NF VALIDATION mark manager – AFNOR Certification).
This is a strategic Committee that manages the activity of the service. Its members are responsible for issuing opinions and recommendations, voted on by relative majority, on various subjects such as general operating policy, certification rules and any other subject of interest to the application.
The day’s programme includes a variety of discussions and information:
⚫ Morning: presentation of how certification works, report on the activity of the service between 2020 and 2025 and, report on the working groups meeting in 2024 and in progress 2025.
➡️ Good progress for alternative methods of microbiological analysis: an increase in the number of customers, certified methods, files processed per year and the number of production sites.
➡️ A need to restart the extension of the service to the field of antibiotics in view of the decline in the number of certified methods.
➡️ Qualified, active and competent members of the Technical Board and expert laboratories.
➡️Active communication and presence of the brand at trade fairs and events.
⚫Afternoon:
We would like to thank Violaine TRAJAN, Head of Institutional Relations at AFNOR Certification, for her contribution on issues relating to potential recognitions and the deployment of the mark internationally and in France.
➡️ Reflection on how to use and promote the NF VALIDATION mark with ministries, professional associations, professionals, the European Commission, DG Health Europe and international organisations to make our methods known and recognised around the world. 🌎
Treatment of issues raised by Commission members :
➡️ Changes to be expected following discussions on the certification rules and additional requirements requested by the Technical Board.
Many thanks :
🎈 To the members of this Committee for their expertise and support in developing and improving the service,
🎈 The AFNOR Normalisation representative, Laurent CONSENTINO, for his technical support on the normative aspects of food microbiology,
🎈 To our guest David ALBERT from the ANSES – National Health Safety Agency for his presence as an expert.
