Field Science and Laboratories
The Office of Regulatory Science (ORS), operates 15 laboratories, located strategically across the United States, to support FDA's mission to protect the public health and to create new knowledge in the field of regulatory science. The labs specialize as Human and Animal Food (HAF) Labs or Medical Products, Tobacco, and Specialty (MPTS) Labs. Below are profiles for each of ORS's field laboratories.
ORS Laboratory Manual, available in the left navigation area, is the reference manual for ORA laboratory personnel. It provides FDA personnel with information on internal procedures to be used as an agency policy for testing consumer products, training of laboratory staff, report writing, safety, research, review of private laboratory reports and court testimony. This document is maintained as part of FDA’s Quality Management System document control process and is available on the FDA public website.
Read more about the Office of Regulatory Science.
Food and Feed Laboratory Operations
The Office of Human and Animal Food Laboratory Operations (OHAFLO) oversees eight laboratories and associated programmatic staff. OHAFLO provides oversight on scientific issues and laboratory analysis related to the chemical and microbiological analysis of human and animal food. It works with appropriate FDA centers and other stakeholders to establish and execute strategic and tactical plans for the effective use of science resources in ORA.
- Atlanta Human and Animal Food Laboratory (ATLHAF)
- Arkansas Human and Animal Food Laboratory (ARLHAF)
- Denver Human and Animal Food Laboratory (DENLHAF)
- Irvine Human and Animal Food Laboratory (IRVLHAF)
- Kansas City Human and Animal Food Laboratory (KCLHAF)
- New York Human and Animal Food Laboratory (NYLHAF)
- San Francisco Human and Animal Food Laboratory (SANLHAF)
- Seattle Human and Animal Food Laboratory (SEAHAF)
Medical Products, Tobacco, and Specialty Laboratories
The Office of Medical Products and Specialty Laboratory Operations (OMPSLO) oversees eight laboratories and associated programmatic staff. OMPSLO provides oversight on scientific issues and laboratory analysis related to pharmaceuticals, tobacco, medical devices, radiochemistry, and forensic chemistry. It works with appropriate FDA centers and other stakeholders to establish and execute strategic and tactical plans for the effective use of science resources in ORA.
- Detroit Medical Products Laboratory (DETLMP)
- National Forensic Chemistry Center (NFCC)
- Irvine Medical Products Laboratory (IRVLMP)
- New York Medical Products Laboratory (NYLMP)
- San Juan Medical Products Laboratory (SJNLMP)
- Tobacco Products Laboratory (TPL)
- Winchester Engineering Analytical Center (WEAC)