The European Molecular Genetics Quality Network (EMQN) is a provider of External Quality Assessment (EQA) services which are essential for any laboratory seeking to maintain and provide a quality service. The organization was established in 1998 after a successful pilot trial of a Huntington disease EQA scheme the previous year. From January 1999 to March 2002, the network was supported by a grant from the European Commission under the Standards Measurement and Testing Programme (contract number SMT4-CT98-7515). Since April 2002, EMQN activities have been supported by subscriptions from EQA scheme participants and currently EMQN offers 28 disease specific and 3 technique specific EQA schemes for molecular genetic testing.

The EMQN is based at the Genetic Medicine Service, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, The United Kingdom. The Network is co-ordinated and administered by Simon Patton and Outi Kamarainen. A management board is responsible for the activities and direction of the network. National partners in different countries help to disseminate information about the network.

• To help to raise and maintain the standards of diagnostic clinical molecular genetic testing.
• To undertake and promote educational activities.
• To be a leading authority in quality assurance .
• To design and provide the best possible materials and data management.
• To design and provide quality reports that are timely and valid.
• To provide professional support and consultation.
• To develop new EQA schemes as required.
• To participate in peer review.
• To strive for continual improvement of our quality systems.

The network is organised in a structure with four levels:

1. A Management Board
2. National Partners
3. EQA Scheme Providers
4. Registered Members

The management group is responsible for developing the network, commissioning new schemes and best practice meetings, appointing new scheme organisers, advising scheme organisers of the scientific content, and providing EQA materials and administration. The management board is ultimately responsible for the overall organisation and running of the network and comprises seven senior molecular geneticists from EU countries supported by a half time executive scientific administrator and full time project manager.

National partners are individuals and their host institutions nominated by a National Genetics Organisation. They act as a dissemination centre for information about EMQN and a focus for EQA and best practice activities at a national level. Currently, EMQN has a national partner in each of the European Union countries, and thirteen national partners from non-EU countries.

The EMQN provides a comprehensive range of quality assurance programs for molecular genetics to laboratories and industry worldwide. It is committed to helping ensure diagnostic molecular genetic laboratory test results are accurate, reliable and comparable wherever they are produced. The EMQN will provide a high quality and timely service which takes into account the needs and requirements of its members.

•  Download a copy of our Quality Policy here

EMQN is a UKAS accredited provider of EQA services.  All EQA schemes are covered under its scope of accreditation unless explicitly stated otherwise.