(1) The Food Authority may recognise any notified food laboratory or referral food laboratory as reference laboratory for the purpose of developing methods of testing, validation, proficiency testing and training.
(2) The reference laboratory shall carry out the following functions, namely:-
(a) be a resource center for provision of information for certified reference materials and reference materials;
(b) develop standards for routine testing procedures and reliable testing methods;
(c) provide technical support in the area of competence;
(d) evaluate the performance of other notified laboratories;
(e) coordinate exchange of information amongst notified food laboratories;
(f) collaborate for data generation among the network of notified food laboratories and referral food laboratories and collate the data related to their specific domain; and
(g) such other functions as may be specified by the Food Authority.