[en] The Agency is setting up, in co-operation with Member States, a network of analytical laboratories (NWAL) which will provide the Agency with the analytical services required by its safeguards verification activity. The network will consist of national laboratories providing the service under Agency contract and a Safeguards Analytical Laboratory (SAL) operated by Agency staff. Experiments have been carried out to identify problems in transport of samples, to investigate the stability of sample materials and to establish procedures for reporting results. The experiments (PAFEX) have also enabled us to collect information on the accuracy of various analytical methods used in the laboratories participating in the experiments. Specifications for SAL facilities were set by the Agency, which contracted with the Austrian Studiengesellschaft fuer Atomenergie (OSGAE) to rent facilities satisfying the specifications. OSGAE has nearly completed the facilities which are being equipped by the Agency with the highest quality equipment. This paper reports on experience gained in the use of analytical services and on results of PAFEX experiments, and it deseribes SAL facilities and equipment. (author)