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Accreditation and Quality Assurance: Journal for Quality, Comparability and Reliability in Chemical Measurement (v.6, #6)


REMCO, the ISO Council Committee on Reference Materials – its first 25 years by Michael Parkany; Harry Klich; S. Rasberry (pp. 226-235).
The 25th Anniversary of the first meeting of REMCO presents an occasion to summarize the events preceding and leading up to the establishment of this Committee, the ever growing use of reference materials, the ISO Guides REMCO has prepared, the help for Technical Committees to achieve valid measurements, the help for Developing Countries in upgrading their laboratories, its structure and contact points.

Chemical measurement and the law: metrology and quality issues by Bernard King (pp. 236-243).
To facilitate just and sound decisions legal measurements must be reliable. The aim of this paper is to explore how this is currently achieved and how it might be better done. It considers the different types of legal proceedings, the role of chemical measurement, level of proof, the different types of chemical measurement, measurement units, the role of government, the chemical measurement industry and its control, legal metrology and the development of a measurement system based on metrological principles. It is argued that recent developments provide the basis for a robust support system, that but more needs to be done. It is also argued that the conventional approach to legal metrology has little place in chemical measurement, but that some controls are needed in some areas. In particular, a harmonised approach to international measurement standards is advocated.

Keywords: Keywords Metrology in chemistry; Law; Regulation; Quality; Standards; Traceability


Requirements vs acceptability in proficiency testing schemes and other interlaboratory comparisons by N. P. Boley; Paul De Bièvre; Philip D. P. Taylor; Adam Uldall (pp. 244-251).
Many laboratories take part in proficiency testing schemes, external quality assessment programmes and other interlaboratory comparisons. These have many similarities but also important differences in their modus operandi and evaluation of performance of participating laboratories. This paper attempts to highlight both the similarities and differences. It also puts particular emphasis on requirements called ”target values for uncertainty” and their meaning.

Keywords: Keywords External quality assurance; Interlaboratory comparisons; Proficiency testing; Target values for uncertainty


Proficiency evaluation as a traceability link in chemical metrology by Stanley Rasberry (pp. 252-256).
Traceability implies comparison of the results of measurements, or comparison to national or international measurement standards. One of several approaches that have been used in chemistry to provide for such comparisons is distribution of proficiency evaluation materials which have been measured by a reference laboratory. A newer approach is based on receipt and measurement at a reference laboratory of materials that have been produced and analyzed by other laboratories. Traceability concepts and approaches to realization will be described together with discussion of the relative merits of various approaches. Extension into metrological fields other than chemistry will also be explored.

Keywords: Keywords Chemical metrology; Traceability; Proficiency evaluation; Accuracy of chemical analysis; Quality assurance in chemistry


Uncertainty calculations in the certification of reference materials by Adriaan M. H. van der Veen; Thomas P. J. Linsinger; Andree Lamberty; Jean Pauwels (pp. 257-263).
To serve as a measurement standard, a (certified) reference material must be stable. For this purpose, the material should undergo stability testing after it has been prepared. This paper looks at the statistical aspects of stability testing. Essentially, these studies can be described with analysis of variance statistics, including variant regression analysis. The latter is used in practice for both trend analysis and for the development of expressions for extrapolations. Extrapolation of stability data is briefly touched upon, as far as the combined standard uncertainty of the reference material is concerned. There are different options to validate the extrapolations made from initial stability studies, and some of them might influence the uncertainty of the reference material and/or the shelf-life. The latter is the more commonly observed consequence of what is called ’stability monitoring’.

Keywords: Keywords Uncertainty; Reference materials; Stability testing; Analysis of variance; Regression analysis


Operation of a proficiency testing scheme of trace elements in sewage sludge with reference values by Adriaan M. H. van der Veen; Milena Horvat; Radmila Milačič; Tinkara Bučar; Urška Repinc; Janez Ščančar; Radojko Jaćimović (pp. 264-268).
A proficiency test (PT) was carried out to investigate the quality of laboratory results measuring trace elements in sewage sludge. The scheme relied on reference values, established through flame atomic absorption spectroscopy and instrumental neutron activation analysis. Within the framework of the project, ”Proficiency testing in Central and Eastern European Countries”, the measurements were done in parallel using induced coupled plasma mass spectrometry. This paper discusses the design of the PTS, the metrological concepts behind it and the way in which it was operated. The discussion includes the estimation of measurement uncertainty of the reference values obtained, homogeneity testing and its uncertainty evaluation, as well as all relevant quality assurance aspects. From the results, it can be concluded that all measurement methods involved agree within their respective uncertainties. Furthermore, it can be concluded that it is feasible to operate a proficiency test of trace elements in sewage sludge using reference values. The agreement between the reference values and the consensus values is satisfactory.

Keywords: Keywords Proficiency testing; Reference values; Sewage sludge; Trace elements; Measurement uncertainty


Frequently-asked questions about primary methods of measurement in chemical analysis by M. J. T. Milton; Alain Marschal (pp. 270-271).
In 1995, international agreement was reached on a definition for a primary method of measurement. We provide some practical advice about the use of primary methods of measurement in a question and answer format.

A pilot experiment of joint assessments by accreditation and certification bodies in clinical laboratories by M. Siloaho; Eija Anttalainen; Pirkko Kociba (pp. 272-273).
When the quality system of the health care organization is certified and the laboratory accredited, two different types of assessments are also performed. To reduce the extra work caused by these different assessments the Finnish Accreditation Service FINAS and SFS-Certification have made a pilot experiment in combining the assessments. Joint assessments have been a positive experience to the laboratory as well as to the assessing bodies, and we find this operating model worth developing.

Keywords: Keywords Accreditation; Certification; Quality system; Clinical laboratory

Uncertainty for reference materials certified by interlaboratory study: Recommendations of an international study group by S. L. R. Ellison; S. Burke; R. F. Walker; K. Heydorn; M. Månsson; J. Pauwels; W. Wegscheider; B. te Nijenhuis (pp. 274-277).

Confidence in testing services – new expectations, new rules, new challenges. 5th Eurolab Symposium offered important information and stimulating discussions by Anita Schmidt (pp. 277-278).
The 5th Eurolab Symposium on 4th and 5th October in Edinburgh was the highlight event of Eurolab in 2000, Eurolab’s 10th anniversary year. Under the title: ”Confidence in Testing Services – new expectations, new rules, new challenges” it reflected recent changes and developments in the laboratory scene and focussed on new tasks and challenges. The most essential changes for laboratories are connected with the new standard ISO/IEC 17025 ”General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories”. Keywords in this respect are uncertainty of measurement and traceability to SI units, requirements on personnel, proficiency testing, customer orientation, and management systems.

Keywords: Keywords Eurolab; Accreditation; ISO/IEC 17025

Calender of Events (pp. 286-288).
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