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Accreditation and Quality Assurance: Journal for Quality, Comparability and Reliability in Chemical Measurement (v.5, #7)
Metrology in chemistry: Part II. Future requirements in Europe by Bernard King (pp. 266-271).
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. 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
Contribution to the certification of B, Cd, Mg, Pb, Rb, Sr, and U in a natural water sample for the International Measurement Evaluation Programme Round 9 (IMEP-9) using ID-ICP-MS by J. Vogl; C. R. Quétel; M. Ostermann; I. Papadakis; L. Van Nevel; P. D. P. Taylor (pp. 272-279).
The present paper describes the contribution of the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements to the certification of B, Cd, Mg, Pb, Rb, Sr, and U amount contents in a natural water sample, in round 9 of the International Measurement Evaluation Programme (IMEP-9). The analytical procedure to establish the reference values for B, Cd, Mg, Pb, Rb, Sr, and U amount contents was based on isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry used as a primary method of measurement. Applying this procedure reference values, traceable to the SI, were obtained for the natural water sample of IMEP-9. For each of the certified amount contents presented here a total uncertainty budget was calculated using the method of propagation of uncertainties according to ISO and EURACHEM guidelines. The measurement procedures, as well as the uncertainty calculations are described for all seven elements mentioned above. In order to keep the whole certification process transparent and so traceable, the preparations of various reagents and materials as well as the sample treatment and blending, the measurements themselves, and finally the data treatment are described in detail. Explanations focus on Pb as a representative example. The total uncertainties (relative) obtained were less than 2% for all investigated elements at amount contents in the pmol/kg up to the high μmol/kg range, corresponding to low μg/kg and mg/kg levels.
Keywords: Key words IMEP-9; ID-ICP-MS; IDMS; Uncertainty budget; Certification
Assessment of uncertainty in calibration of a gas mass flowmeter by D. Kruh (pp. 280-284).
A primary calibration system was set up in Rafael some years ago, based on volumetric flow rate. The primary standard measures volumetric flow by means of the volume change of a dual piston over a specific time interval. This system serves to calibrate secondary standards of the thermal mass flowmeter type. Calibration procedures were prepared and validated. The paper describes the tests and calibration procedure conducted for the uncertainty assessment, the different components contributing to the measurement uncertainties, and the formulas involved with volumetric flow fates and with thermal mass flowmeters.
Keywords: Key words Volumetric gas flow rate; Mass flowmeter; Calibration; Uncertainty
The Division of Analytical Chemistry of the Federation of European Chemical Societies – European Analytical Column 28
by M. Valcárcel; E. H. Korte (pp. 285-286).
Certification of herbal products: an urgent need for appropriate methods by H. Y. Aboul-Enein (pp. 286-287).
Analytical chemists should focus their attention on establishing validated analytical methods for herbal pharmaceutical formulations. Efforts should also be made to have the reference materials for herbal products both accessible and commercially available.
Keywords: Key words Herbal products; Validation; Herbal reference standards; Botanicals
Guidance for accredited laboratories on the use of computers by R. Barker; Brian Wichmann (pp. 287-288).
We review the draft international standard ISO/IEC 17025 and the EA guidelines; and present the existing National Physical Laboratory publication “Software in scientific instruments” and the new Measurement System Validation Best Practice guide.
Keywords: Key words Accreditation; Computers; Software; Scientific instruments
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. 289-293).
The ETACS European Project for testing the comparability of sensors and analysers: Part II. Field tests by A. Ríos; L. Arce; A. Lynggaard-Jensen; H. S. Jacobsen; R. Whiteman; H. Wacheux; B. Karlberg; A. B. Lindholm; T. Stenstrøm; H. Berridge; E. Maier (pp. 293-299).
The results of field tests performed within the European Testing and Assessment of Comparability of On-line Sensors/Analysers (ETACS) European Project are presented in this article. This work is complementary to the laboratory tests, already published in Part I in this Journal. The objective was to consider the complete measuring chain, including the sensor/analyser, sampling elements, pumping and conditioning devices needed for a particular application. These aspects were not included in the laboratory tests and, therefore, new facets were involved. Field tests are considered site specific in terms of the sample dynamic range and matrix composition, as well as event dependent with respect to environmental conditions. A protocol for checking the performance of sensors/analysers working in a field location is presented. The protocol is a general guide and, therefore, can be used independently of the nature of the sensor/analyser under evaluation.
Keywords: Key words Quality assurance; Field tests; Protocol; Sensors/analysers; Wastewater analysis