The Directorate Earth and History of Life has diversified, performing and well-equipped laboratories and analytical facilities. This analytical equipment supports the research and provides the appropriate tools for external expertise requested by authorities, research institutions (e.g. universities), and companies.

The archaeosciences expertise unit works on plant, animal, human remains and sediments from archaeological sites in Belgium. These analyses are carried out in the framework of conventions with the Walloon Region and the Brussels Capital Region.

Geological and/or archaeological expertise is used in various decision making and management issues: the use and impacts of geothermal energy, the impacts and costs of CO₂ capture and storage, the setting up of a European Geological Survey, the setting-up of an Unesco Geopark in Belgium, etc.