direction Vienna, Austria     email ralacaboard@red-ralaca.net

 MANDATE OF RALACA

Red Analítica de Latino América y el Caribe (RALACA). 

 

Name:

The present Network will be identified under the name Red Analitica de Latino America y el Caribe (RALACA).

RALACA is a non-profit Network that brings together analytical laboratories to enhance regional capabilities to target food safety and environmental sustainability. Information sharing is key to enhancing regional opportunities.

Mission:

RALACA will have the mission of promoting food safety and environmental sustainability in Latin America and the Caribbeans. To protect the health of the consumers, facilitate trade and ensure a sustainable environment it is essential to strengthen the capacity of analytical laboratories and promote efficient communication channels and share information.

Objectives:

 RALACA will have the following objectives: 

  1. Strengthen the technical capabilities of the laboratories in the region.
  2. Promote scientific cooperation in the region among the countries involved in the Network.
  3. Foster communication between all national stakeholders, including decision makers.

 RALACA will have the specific objectives:

  1. Develop a maintin web platform to share information among members.
  2. Dissemination of information on food and environmental contamination:  compilation of quality data to support national governments in targeting risk assessment and risk management.
  3. Promote the implementation of quality management systems in RALACA   laboratories.
  4. Facilitate the availability of reference materials and the participation in inter-   laboratory tests.
  5. Provide tools for laboratories to have early warning systems in the field of the RALACA mission.
  6. Facilitate the response of laboratories to regional emerging food and environmental risks and scares.
  7. Organize and promote training programme and continuous education through   preparation of     Webinar, thematic seminars, meetings, twinning missions, internships in advanced laboratories, training workshops and training courses on site.

 

A step by step systematic planning will be established by the Board to reach all specific objectives and to bring uniformity of capacity building into participating RALACA laboratories.

 Members:

RALACA will be composed of analytical laboratories belonging to the Latin America and the Caribbean region with the exception of the laboratories belonging to the Joint FAO/IAEA Division.

Additional members are analytical laboratories from other regions in the world that have demonstrated technical excellence and can contribute with an advisory role. Also other Institutions that do not have a direct analytical work, but are related to the food control system in the member countries can be incorporated as members in RALACA. Private persons who wish to register must be presented by an active member of RALACA, describe their motivation and in what area they want to contribute to the network.

The incorporation of the countries into RALACA is voluntary. Agreement to participate in any activity commits the Laboratories and the Institutions to comply with the relevant programme.

Organizational Structure:

RALACA organization structure is conformed by:

  1. The Board.
  2. Administratives Advisors
  3. The Committees
  4. The Advisory group

 

RALACA is governed by a Board of four (4) members. One of the board members must be affiliated with  the FAO or IAEA.

The Board will decide on the number and the areas for Working Committees. Each committee has a responsible Coordinator, a Secretary and an Assistant Secretary (see Guidelines for operation).  The Affiliated laboratories will be able to join existing working committees. Working committees are established by the board based on country needs and trends in the analytical community.

The Administrative advisors is made up of Finance, IT and Communications division.

RALACA will have an Advisory group formed by competent and recognised laboratories, chosen by the Board.

The decisions:

The decisions will be made by simple majority of the board members, and in case of non-resolved issues the administrative advisors will have right to one vote totaling 5 votes.

Funding:

RALACA activities shall be solely funded through 

  1. Resources from member countries
  2. Technical cooperation funds from international organizations and non-governmental organizations.
  3. Funds from donor organizations and private industry which will be formalized by means of agreements
  4. In kind donations shall be subjected for the agreement of the board.
 
 

 

 

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