Customs Laboratories European Network (CLEN) celebrates 25th anniversary

On 26 September, the Customs Laboratories European Network (CLEN) celebrated its 25^th anniversary in Budapest, hosted by the Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration (NTCA). The event showcased the strengths and achievements of the network, recognising its successful cooperation and reflecting on its future. The programme included sessions on customs laboratories’ contribution to efficient customs controls, the identification of non-compliant goods, the European Ports Alliance, and the fight against drugs, as well as the Customs Control Equipment Instrument.

Background

Created in 1999, CLEN has emerged from a small group of European customs laboratories into a network of 80 laboratories spread all over the 27 Member States, with 1900 staff members, conducting around 250 000 samples and 840 000 analytical determinations per year. While tasks related to tariff nomenclature represent around two thirds of the work in the laboratories, CLEN staff is also involved in determining the authenticity and safety of goods coming into the EU, detecting illegal imports, or providing scientific expertise to tax authorities or other national administrations. 

Since its creation, CLEN has contributed to anticipating changes in customs environments, harmonising practices of customs laboratories, and exchanging experiences and best practices. Thereby, CLEN ensures that products tested by customs laboratories yield comparable results, strengthening the Customs Union. The network also organises interlaboratory testing and contributes to legislation and international cooperation, for example by suggesting new analytical methods or amendments, supporting evidence-based policy making.

CLEN’s activities have expanded beyond their initial focus on Common Agricultural Policy and food issues to cover a broader range of fields, including mineral oils, gemmology or drugs analysis. This has helped increase the network’s visibility beyond European borders. The network has reinforced cooperation at the international level, notably with its recognition as a Regional Customs Laboratory of the World Customs Organization (WCO) in 2020.