ICLN

About ICLN

Our Mission

The mission of the Integrated Consortium of Laboratory Networks (ICLN) is to coordinate federally sponsored analytical laboratory services for chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) incidents. The ICLN does this through planning, identifying resources, providing laboratory surge capacity support, and defining key process steps for information exchange and data sharing during an incident. During CBRN incidents, the ICLN provides timely, credible, and interpretable data in support of surveillance, early detection, and effective consequence management.

The ICLN's integrated laboratory response contributes to stronger early detection and consequence management capabilities for the federal government, consistent with the requirements of Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 9 (Defense of US Agriculture and Food), HSPD-10 (Biodefense for the 21st Century), HSPD-21 (Public Health and Medical Preparedness), HSPD-22 (Domestic Chemical Defense), and Presidential Policy Directive (PPD) 8 (National Preparedness).

Additional information on the ICLN can be found in the ICLN Fact sheet and Poster or in ICLN related reports, including the 2017 ICLN Food Safety and Modernization Act and the 2016 ICLN Office of Health Affairs Annual Report.

Members

For more information about the organizational structure of the ICLN, please visit the Structure & Members Page.

Department of Agriculture

Department of Health and Human Services

Department of Justice

Department of Defense

Department of Homeland Security

Department of State

Department of Energy

Department of the Interior

Environmental Protection Agency

Activities

ICLN partners endeavor to:

Promote organization and coordination of assets and resources;
Address critical issues affecting the reliability of data provided to decision makers;
Provide an initial analysis and ongoing advice and coordination; and
Serve as a forum for the discussion and dissemination of information.

Interagency Groups

The ICLN has two major interagency groups:

The JLC includes senior management representation from each Federal Department or Agency that participates in the ICLN. The council provides high-level policy guidance and support to the NCG and works to ensure department/agency policies and ICLN operational activities are mutually consistent. The JLC meets with the NCG at least once a year.
The NCG is the focal point of laboratory network coordination. NCG membership consists of officially designated Federal laboratory network coordinators and network representatives that have the appropriate responsibility and authority to facilitate progress on ICLN goals and objectives. The NCG is the primary body responsible for coordination across the networks, promoting performance guidelines, sharing of analytical methods, and use of common data exchange and knowledge management procedures. The NCG also establishes and guides the ICLN technical subgroups in support of their roles to create standardized and integrated approaches for the ICLN and to provide technical guidance on matters within their purview. The NCG meets monthly to consider interagency interoperability issues and recommendations from the technical subgroups.

Historical Documentation

Historical documentation associated with the ICLN includes the Charge and Charter document, and the 2005, 2012, and 2016 ICLN Memorandums of Agreements.

The "Charge and Charter" document provides the background of the need, the authorities, vision, scope and structure of the ICLN, and the function and functional relationships of the entities which make up the ICLN.
The 2005 ICLN Memorandum of Agreement, 2012 ICLN Memorandum of Agreement, and the 2016 ICLN Memorandum of Agreement set out the federal relationships required to establish the ICLN and describe the purpose, the authorities/limitations, as well as the commitments of the signatories.
Status of the Integrated Consortium of Laboratory Networks (ICLN) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Report to Congress