National Institute for Public health and Environment
RIVM) in the Netherlands performs tasks to promote both public health, and a healthy and safe living environment. The main tasks of RIVM are: 1) to conduct research; 2) to provide policy support; 3) to perform national coordination; 4) to coordinate intervention programs; 5) to provide information to professionals and the general public. Knowledge at the RIVM is used to support the Dutch government in formulating and executing its policy. RIVM’s commissioning bodies consist of various ministries and public services such as the inspectorates. RIVM also carries out activities for international organizations such as the European Union (EU) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Moreover RIVM transfers knowledge specifically aimed at capacity and institution building for EU associated partner countries and middle- and low-income ICPC countries, through multilateral and bilateral agreements. One of the main tasks is to protect population from the spread of potentially harmful infections. This includes the monitoring and containing AMR-pathogens through early detection (reference laboratory work) and guideline support. In 1998, the RIVM initiated a coordinated approach to the surveillance of AMR in Europe by setting-up the European Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (EARSS), which for the past eight year has developed into the largest international network on AMR-surveillance worldwide.
