In the framework of the "Ethio-French project on quality and sanitary aspects of animal products in Ethiopia", an expertise on quality assurance (QA) was conducted at the National Animal Health Centre (NAHRC) in Sebeta. This expertise consisted of an evaluation of QA at NAHRC, a visit to the Quality and Standards Authority in Ethiopia (QSAE), the organisation of a workshop at NAHRC and the definition of quality objectives and work-programme for NAHRC. During the evaluation of NAHRC, the following observations were made: Main positive points: - NAHRC is doing reference activities (research and diagnosis) on diseases of the lists A and B of the Office International des Epizooties (OIE), - It has a central edifice of 220 m2 (150 m2 for the lab sections) and various other building facilities for personnel, animal husbandry and stores. These facilities are relatively recent (15 years). - It has recent and suitable equipments, - One laboratory section (protozoology) is advanced in the establishment of a quality assurance system. Main points to be improved: - The laboratory has no defined QA policy and procedures, - Its mandate and objectives are not clearly and accurately defined and advertised, - The laboratory access is not under control, thus security and confidentiality are not ensured, - Although relatively recent, the laboratory shows several signs of insufficient maintenance (deficient cleansing, paint deterioration...). Electric power supply should be better secured. Internet and phone connections are often out of service. - Many equipments are out of service with no clear perspectives of restoration: this is particularly crucial for freezers since it may disrupt the capacity of the laboratory to store securely the samples to be tested, - Equipments present for a long time in the laboratory have never been put into first service, - Laboratory consumables or equipments and desks are sited at the laboratory entrance or in corridors, - There is no clear separation be