This document describes the performance characteristics and minimum performance criteria which should be taken into account when conducting a single-laboratory validation study for qualitative (binary) real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods applied for the detection of specific DNA sequences present in foods. The protocol was developed for qualitative real-time PCR methods for the detection of DNA sequences derived from genetically modified foodstuffs. It is applicable also for single-laboratory validation of qualitative PCR methods used for analysis of other food materials@ e.g. for species detection and identification. The document does not cover the evaluation of the applicability and the practicability with respect to the specific scope of the PCR method.