Bakir, AdilMcGoran, Alexandra R.Silburn, BrionyRussell, JosieNel, HollyLusher, Amy L.Amos, RuthShadrack, Ronick S.Arnold, Shareen J.Castillo, CecyUrbina, Joaquin F.Barrientos, EduardoSanchez, HenryPillay, KeshneeHuman, LucienneSwartbooi, TarrynCordova, Muhammad RezaSani, Sofia YuniarWijesinghe, T. W. A. WasanthaAmarathunga, A. A. DeepthaGunasekara, JagathSomasiri, Sudarshanamahatantila, KushaniLiyanage, SurekaMüller, MoritzHee, Yet YinOnda, Deo FlorenceJansar, Khairiatul MardianaShiraz, ZanaAmir, HanaMayes, Andrew G.2025-03-172024-06-03Bakir, A., McGoran, A. R., Silburn, B., Russell, J., Nel, H., Lusher, A. L., Amos, R., Shadrack, R. S., Arnold, S. J., Castillo, C., Urbina, J. F., Barrientos, E., Sanchez, H., Pillay, K., Human, L., Swartbooi, T., Cordova, M. R., Sani, S. Y., Wijesinghe, T. W. A. W., … Mayes, A. G. (2024). Creation of an international laboratory network towards global microplastics monitoring harmonisation. Scientific Reports, 14(1), Article 12714.2045-232210.1038/s41598-024-62176-yhttps://repository.unesco.gov.ph/handle/123456789/161Infrastructure is often a limiting factor in microplastics research impacting the production of scientific outputs and monitoring data. International projects are therefore required to promote collaboration and development of national and regional scientific hubs. The Commonwealth Litter Programme and the Ocean Country Partnership Programme were developed to support Global South countries to take actions on plastics entering the oceans. An international laboratory network was developed to provide the infrastructure and in country capacity to conduct the collection and processing of microplastics in environmental samples. The laboratory network was also extended to include a network developed by the University of East Anglia, UK. All the laboratories were provided with similar equipment for the collection, processing and analysis of microplastics in environmental samples. Harmonised protocols and training were also provided in country during laboratory setup to ensure comparability of quality-controlled outputs between laboratories. Such large networks are needed to produce comparable baseline and monitoring assessments.enAttribution 4.0 Internationalhttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/MicroplasticsEnvironmental monitoringInternational cooperationMarine pollutionPlastic marine debrisEnvironmental reportingMarine pollution--AnalysisMarine pollution--Data processingEnvironmental laboratoriesArticleSDG 14 - Life below waterSDG 17 - Partnerships for the goalsSDG 9 - Industry, innovation and infrastructuremicroplastic pollutionprotocolsChallenge 1: Understand and beat marine pollutionChallenge 9: Skills, knowledge, and technology for all