Science & Research
Field Science and Laboratories
The success of FDA activities to protect the public health often depends on the ability of the Agency's laboratories to quickly and accurately analyze samples. To prevent distribution of a product that has been found to be in violation of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, FDA uses its field laboratories to analyze samples and report results for regulatory action.
The Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) operates 13 high throughput field laboratories, located strategically across the continental United States and Puerto Rico, to support FDA's mission to protect the public health and to create new knowledge in the field of regulatory science. Below are profiles for each of ORA's 13 field laboratories.
ORA's Laboratory Manual, now available in the left navigation area, is the reference manual for FDA 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.
Regional Laboratories
Arkansas Regional Lab (ARL) Located in Jefferson, AR Northeast Regional Lab (NRL) Located in Jamaica, NY Pacific Regional Lab Northwest (PRL-NW) Located in Bothell, WA Pacific Regional Lab Southwest (PRL-SW) Located in Irvine, CA Southeast Regional Lab (SRL) Located in Atlanta, GA
District Laboratories
Denver District Laboratory (DEN) Located in Denver, CO Detroit District Laboratory (DET) Located in Detroit, MI Kansas City District Laboratory (KAN) Located in Lenexa, KS Philadelphia District Laboratory (PHI) Located in Philadelphia, PA San Francisco District Laboratory (SAN) Located in Alameda, CA San Juan District Laboratory (SJN) Located in San Juan, PR
Specialty Laboratories
Forensic Chemistry Center (FCC) Located in Cincinnati, OH Winchester Engineering Analytical Center (WEAC) Located in Winchester, MA