The operational topics programmed for this workshop between technologists from natural rubber quality control laboratories were primarily intended to relaunch the ANRA/CFC-INRO project, which was halted in 2000 after a CFC audit, due to poor project management. The project on the Improvement and Control of African Natural Rubber Quality resumed in 2001, under the management control of UNOPS, a United Nations organization, which now manages the budget up to the end of the project, scheduled for 2002. CIRAD is involved as technical consultant to assist in project operations. A seminar was organized from 16th to 30th June in Cameroon, in order to relaunch the UNOPS/CFC project. Researchers from CIRAD were invited to attend. The main topics covered during this mission to relaunch the UNOPS/CFC project were as follows: - Assessment of the results of the inter-laboratory proficiency tests (IPT) between the laboratories at CATH in Gabon, CNRA-Bimbresso in Côte d'lvoire, RRIN-Benin City in Nigeria, NRRP-Ekona in Cameroon and CIRAD-CP in Montpellier, - Comparison of variability between the laboratories using JUMP software for statistical interpretation of the results, - Organization of new inter-laboratory proficiency tests including the participation of laboratories at natural rubber factories in West African countries, - Further information on statistical interpretation of the result, - Operational assessment of the equipment provided to the African laboratories under the UNOPS/CFC-lNRO project, and estimates of the additional laboratory equipment and chemicals that would need to be purchased under the new UNOPS/CFC protocol, - Comparison of the quality of rubber produced by African smallholders with production conditions for Asian smallholders (Indonesia and Vietnam).