The EPNET mission is to improve lives of porphyria patients by improving the diagnosis and treatment of these rare conditions. EPNET has been funded by the EU DG for health & consumers since 2007. We have established an effective network of specialist porphyria centres throughout the EU. Currently, EPNET consists of 33 EU specialist centres from 21 European and candidate countries that work together to develop an up-to-date consensus based approach to the management of patients and families with porphyria conforming to uniform standards. We also have associate members from Australia, Brazil, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA. Evidence from the last years programme shows that this network and its activities have a positive effect on the quality of diagnosis, number of patients diagnosed and treatment choices (shown through the collection of data, enquiries to the drug database and external quality scheme).