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Accreditation and Quality Assurance: Journal for Quality, Comparability and Reliability in Chemical Measurement (v.5, #5)
Metrology in chemistry: Part I. Current activities in Europe by B. King (pp. 173-179).
The paper (Parts I and II) reports the results of a survey carried out to assess the current situation in the field of metrology in chemistry within Europe and to identify future needs for work at the European level. Responses to a questionnaire covering 17 economic sectors and distributed to 17 countries plus the European Commission Joint Research Centre (EC JRC), together with input from a project group, EURACHEM and EUROMET provided the basis of the study. The questionnaire responses clearly indicated that only a minority of countries had clearly defined responsibilities for policy, funding and technical leadership. Similarly only a small number of countries was able to provide any information about levels of funding. Nonetheless, a variety of work is in progress and in some countries the effort is considerable. In other countries discussion is in progress and /or work is beginning. Part I covers the protocol for the study and reports current activities. Part II reports suggestions for future work, a strategy for metrology in chemistry and recommendations for the EC Fifth Framework Programme.
Keywords: Key words Metrology in chemistry; Europe; Strategy; Traceability; Reference materials
Selectivity versus specificity in chromatographic analytical methods by H. Y. Aboul-Enein (pp. 180-181).
Analytical chemists should be aware of the differences between selectivity and specificity. Few analytical methods, including the chromatographic analytical methods, are truly specific. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) recommends that specificity is the ultimate of selectivity, therefore, analysts should promote this concept and aim to achieve highly selective analytical methods.
Keywords: Key words Selectivity; Specificity; Chromatography
Implementation of a quality system in a clinical laboratory – Evaluation of quality indicators by M. Siloaho; E. Puhakainen (pp. 182-190).
The aim of this study was to evaluate the primary experience of implementing a quality system in a clinical laboratory. The second interrelated aim was to evaluate the quality and financial indicators needed for continuous measurement of quality, decision making in the laboratory management and everyday process control in analytical work. The quality process itself should be evaluated because the building up of a quality system requires a considerable amount of resources. The most effective and practical ways of using a quality system as a management tool should be found and the need for financial appraisal when the quality system is implemented is stressed. According to our study, when the effects of the quality system were evaluated, the managers of the laboratory had not considered the appropriate financial indicators. The quality indicators considered to be the best were internal quality control, external quality assessment and customer satisfaction surveys. The first benefits of the quality system evaluated by the personnel were other than the purely financial benefits, they include a more systematic and empowering approach to laboratory management, better working instructions, better knowledge of the methods and equipment, and fewer errors. The financial evaluation of a quality process in a public-owned clinical laboratory is complicated due to the fact that financial indicators are not as far developed and diverse as in industrial organisations. When starting to implement a quality system, it is important to pay attention to all measures that motivate the staff and help them benefit from the practical effects of the system.
Keywords: Key words Quality management; Quality system; Clinical laboratory; Accreditation; Certification
Reference materials in environmental trace organic analysis by Bogdan Zygmunt; J. Namieśnik (pp. 191-197).
The paper reviews the application of reference materials (RMs) in environmental analysis of trace organic pollutants. The problems related to RM preparation, stability, use, etc. are critically discussed. Importance of analytical quality assurance and the role RMs play in the process are emphasised.
Keywords: Key words Reference materials; Organic analysis; Environmental samples; Analytical quality assurance
Contribution to the certification of cadmium and lead amount content in the BCR CRM-278R mussel tissue by isotope dilution mass spectrometry by I. Papadakis; Christophe R. Quétel; Philip D. P. Taylor; Paul De Bièvre (pp. 198-204).
Metrological certification through a primary method of measurement and how it can be achieved is demonstrated in this paper, using the example of re-certification of cadmium and lead content in a biological material, the Bureau Communataire de Reference, reference material CRM-278R mussel tissue. The measurement method used was isotope dilution in combination with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Microwave digestion was applied to the samples prior to the measurements. A detailed uncertainty budget was evaluated according to the International Organisation of Standardisation, Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty and EURACHEM Guide, resulting in an expanded uncertainty.
Keywords: Key words IDMS; Traceability; Mussel tissue; Chemical metrology; Primary methods of measurement; Cadmium; Lead
State of the art of third-party product testing and certification:
by L. Thione; A. Pederneschi; E. Cirici; S. Helmprobst; B. Pecavar; B. Siegemund (pp. 207-211).
The necessity for harmonisation of accreditation and recognition of testing laboratories, inspection bodies and certification bodies in the regulated and voluntary areas by Rudolf Brinkmann (pp. 212-214).
There have been two essential developments in current accreditation practices. One tends towards a flexible confirmation of competence of the testing laboratory for the adaptation of existing test methods and the development of new test methods. The other development attempts to assess and confirm the testing activity in terms of concrete processes for a specific application. These polarised tendencies, both in the preparatory work of the testing laboratory and in the assessment activity of the accreditation body, lead to increased costs. This paper examines the necessity for a harmonisation of these opposing sets of requirements by means of a categorised synopsis, citing actual examples. Efforts made to bring about such a harmonisation have, up to now, hardly progressed beyond first attempts and declarations of intention.
Keywords: Key words Accreditation; Testing laboratories; Inspection bodies; Regulated area; Voluntary area
The Institute for Interlaboratory Studies (i.i.s.) now has formal accreditation for the organisation of proficiency tests
by R. G. Visser (pp. 215-215).