Membership and terms of reference

Membership

Any individual from an organization or institution involved in tuberculosis (TB), HIV and viral hepatitis laboratory activities can apply to become a member of the European Laboratory Initiative (ELI) by filling out the ELI membership application form and sending it to the ELI Secretariat. Membership in ELI is free of charge, and no fee is paid to members. ELI has a core group, a Chair and a Co-Chair representing the various constituencies involved in TB, HIV and viral hepatitis laboratories.

Following the call for applications, ELI core group members will be selected by the WHO Regional Office for Europe upon submitting their CVs and letters of application. ELI will hold regular core group meetings annually, coordinated by the Secretariat together with the Chair. In addition, the core group will hold regular and/or ad hoc telephone or video conferences.

Terms of reference

The terms of reference of ELI and its core group members are as follows:

• technical assistance to countries in implementing global and regional recommendations to strengthen TB, HIV and viral hepatitis laboratory systems, and norms and standards for existing and future TB, HIV and viral hepatitis diagnostic tests that are suited to the needs of the WHO European Region;
• assist countries in the implementation of laboratory algorithms adapted to the Region based on WHO recommendations;
• develop consensus guidance on laboratory biosafety and security;
• develop guidance on quality assurance (and external quality assurance) of laboratory practices, including WHO-endorsed molecular assays;
• develop guidance on sustainable strategies for laboratory maintenance;
• provide guidance on laboratory management tools (including quality management systems);
• provide guidance on laboratory accreditation.

The ELI Secretariat is hosted by the WHO Regional Office for Europe.