European Laboratory Day 2026: Leaders in the Lab.

Every year, millions of clinical decisions are made on the strength of a single number on a lab report. Behind that number sits a laboratory professional, someone who spent years training, who checks and rechecks results before they reach a clinician, and who rarely gets to stand in the spotlight for the difference they make. On 5 November 2026, the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) is turning that spotlight on, with European Laboratory Day 2026: Leaders in the Lab.

It's a recognition that laboratory medicine doesn't only happen in director's offices and strategy meetings, it happens at the bench, in the quality checks, in the mentoring of junior colleagues, and in the quiet decisions that keep patient safety at the centre of everything we do. Every professional who upholds standards, drives improvement or simply shows up and does the work with excellence is, in their own way, a leader in the lab.

You can find more information about the day on EFLM website - Leaders in the lab

How can you get involved?

Whether you are a trainee, biomedical scientist, clinical scientist, consultant, laboratory manager or work in another area of laboratory medicine, there are many ways to support European Laboratory Day.

You can a colleague who has made a difference in your laboratory, share a story about a project or service improvement, highlight the work of your team, or talk about what leadership means in your role.

Laboratories and professional organisations can also use the day to engage with colleagues outside the laboratory and help them understand how laboratory medicine contributes to clinical decision-making and patient care.

EFLM provides resources to support participation, making it easier for laboratory professionals and organisations to promote the day and share their activities.

You can apply or nominate by Friday 11 September 2026