World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) supports the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) in initiatives to improve animal health worldwide.

The OIE is the intergovernmental organisation responsible for improving animal health worldwide. It develops international standards, guidelines and recommendations for veterinary products for the OIE member countries.

The OIE also supports activities for the harmonisation of veterinary pharmaceutical legislation, for example through its work as an associated member of the International Cooperation on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Veterinary Medicinal Products (VICH).

For a full list of members countries, see OIE members.

EMA role

EMA participates in OIE initiatives relevant to its work and coordinates the input of European experts into OIE workshops on veterinary medicines.

EMA works closely with OIE and its Collaborating Centre for Veterinary Medicinal Products on VICH initiatives and its outreach forum.

The Agency also contributes to regional training seminars organised by the OIE national focal points, for example on the regulatory system for veterinary medicines in the European Union.

It also provides expertise to the OIE ad hoc group on antimicrobial resistance.

EMA and OIE are exploring further opportunities for collaboration.