Consultation prior to the renewal of National Reference Centers

As part of the renewal of the network of National Reference Centers (NRCs) for the control of communicable diseases scheduled for late 2022, Santé publique France is reviewing the list of infectious agents requiring an NRC and is launching a preliminary consultation.

More information about the CNRs

To carry out its infectious disease surveillance activities, Santé publique France relies on a network of 44 national reference centers.

Everything You Need to Know About CNRs

The National Reference Centers (NRCs) for the control of communicable diseases were designated by order of the Minister of Solidarity and Health for the 2017–2022 period, following a call for applications and an evaluation coordinated by a committee of experts—known as the “NRC Committee”—reporting to the Director General of Santé publique France.

The current term of the NRCs covers the period from April 1, 2017, to December 31, 2022. A new call for applications will be launched in late 2021 for the renewal of the NRCs for a five-year term corresponding to the period from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2027.

Revision of the list of infectious agents requiring a National Reference Center

The NRC Committee, responsible for organizing this consultation, is currently reviewing the scope of the NRC network, the list of infectious agents requiring an NRC, their potential grouping, and their specific terms of reference.

Objective: to adapt to evolving needs in terms of microbiological expertise, surveillance, alert systems, and advisory services, in line with the four missions of these NRCs.

In this context, the Committee is now consulting all relevant professional, institutional, and scientific stakeholders to gather their proposals regarding an infectious agent or group of agents requiring the creation of new CNRs, the consolidation of CNRs, or any other changes concerning the activities or structure of the CNR network.

How can I participate in the consultation?

Please submit your written proposals, including supporting arguments, by email to: cnr2023@santepubliquefrance.fr
Contact: Dr. Bruno COIGNARD, Director of Infectious Diseases at Santé publique France, for the scientific secretariat of the CNR Committee. Response
deadline: September 20, 2021.

National Reference Centers

In accordance with Article L1413-3 of the Public Health Code, Santé publique France relies on a network of National Reference Centers for the control of communicable diseases to carry out its missions; the procedures for designating these centers and their missions are established by Decree No. 2016-806 of June 16, 2016. The NRC network currently comprises 44 NRCs consisting of 75 laboratories.

What are their missions?

The CNRs have four missions:

  • Expertise, primarily in microbiology and the susceptibility of pathogens to anti-infective agents

  • Contributing to epidemiological surveillance

  • Alerting health authorities

  • Advising health authorities and healthcare professionals

Learn more about the National Reference Centers

1 Order of May 17, 2021, amending the Order of March 7, 2017, establishing the list of national reference centers.
2 The CNR-Laboratoire Expert has only two functions: expert assessment and consultation.