The DAIIEE strengthens Spanish Customs Laboratories with European funding

This update is carried out through the Customs Control Equipment Instrument (CCEI) of the European Commission, promoted by DG TAXUD (Directorate-General for Taxation and Customs Union).

This new addition strengthens both the qualitative and quantitative capacity of the laboratories. “The new Inductively Coupled Plasma Spectrometer with mass spectrometric detection (ICP-MS) will allow the detection and quantification of ultra-trace levels of metallic elements in any type of matrix,” said a DAIIEE spokesperson. In addition, the benchtop Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) equipment, recently installed at the Regional Laboratory of Catalonia, will facilitate the structural identification of organic molecules, especially those involved in the illegal trafficking of narcotics and other restricted substances.

The DAIIEE also highlights the reinforcement of analytical separation techniques, such as Gas and Liquid Chromatography. “These techniques are essential for the control of the new Euro-marker for diesel and kerosene, as well as for validating the sugar content in agri-food products,” added the spokesperson.

A new Dynamic Viscometer has also been added to the Central Laboratory, which will be key to determining the rheological properties of hydrocarbon sector products. “This is critical for their tariff classification and tax treatment in relation to special taxes,” concluded the DAIIEE representative.

This initiative not only improves the efficiency of laboratories, but also strengthens customs control capacity in Spain, ensuring more effective management of goods entering the country.