Flexibilization of the scope of accreditation: an important asset for food and water microbiology laboratories

Beltest, the Belgian accreditation body, has investigated flexibilization of the scope of accreditation for chemistry laboratories and food and water microbiology laboratories. This flexibilization, synonymous with test-type accreditation, allows a laboratory to add new test methods or retry previous test methods without having to undergo a new audit by Beltest. It has been used for nearly ten years by German and Swiss accreditation bodies. Flexibilization permits the validation of methods and results, given that the competence of the particular laboratory is already well established. This new concept in microbiology allows client’s needs to be adequately met, and facilitates the quick establishment of a method in several laboratories at once in case of a public health crisis. The first laboratory to participate at this investigation on the flexibilization concept, as a test of the concept, was the Belgian reference laboratory for food microbiology.     

Software tools for green and sustainable chemistry

In this review, we consider green chemistry metrics, related software tools, and the opportunities and challenges for their use in research laboratories. We provide an overview of state-of-the-art software designed both to aid researchers in planning and conducting chemical experiments and to assess sustainability of individual reactions and synthetic routes. The increasing digitalisation of research means that there is great opportunity for more extensive use of computational tools by synthetic chemists and for closer integration of green chemistry principles into the routine work of chemical laboratories. We discuss the scope for using software tools in the laboratory and assisting synthetic chemists in the adoption of green and sustainable chemistry approaches that are suitable for their specific purposes.     

Metrological concept for comparable measurement results under the European water framework directive: demonstration of its applicability in elemental analysis

Within the scope of a project of the “European Association of National Metrology Institutes??(EURAMET), a European metrological dissemination system (network) providing traceable reference values assigned to matrix materials for validation purposes is described and put to the test. It enables testing laboratories (TL) to obtain comparable results for measurements under the “EU Water Framework Directive 2000/60/EC??(WFD) and thus, to comply with a core requirement of this very directive. The dissemination system is characterized by the fact that it is available to all laboratories throughout Europe which intend to perform measurements in the context of the WFD and that it can ensure sustainable metrological traceability to the International System of Units (SI) as a reference point for the measurement results. This dissemination system is set up in a hierarchical manner and links up the level of the national metrology institutes (NMI) with that of the TLs via an intermediate level of calibration laboratories (CL) by comparison measurements. The CLs are expert laboratories with respect to the measurement of the analytes considered here (within the project, the CLs are called potential calibration laboratories (PCL)) and are additionally involved in the organization of comparison measurements within the scope of regional quality assurance (QA) systems. Three comparison measurements have been performed to support the approach. A total of about 130 laboratories participated in this exercise with the focus on the measurement of the priority substances Pb, Cd, Hg, and Ni defined in the WFD. The elemental concentrations in the water samples roughly corresponded to one of the established environmental quality standards (EQS), the annual average concentration (AA-EQS), which is defined in the daughter Directive 2008/105/EC of the WFD. It turned out that a significant number of TLs still need to improve their measurement methods in order to be able to fulfill the minimum requirements of the WFD, in particular, with regard to the elements Cd and Hg probably due to their low EQS values. Furthermore, it became obvious that the hierarchical dissemination system suggested here actually corresponds to the measuring capabilities of the three participating groups (NMIs, PCLs, and TLs).     

Official proficiency tests of the organisation for the prohibition of chemical weapons: current status and future directions

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has been organising and conducting Official Proficiency Tests (PT) since 1996 in accordance with ILAC-G13 to certify laboratories for the analysis of authentic samples under the provision of Chemical Weapons Convention. The tests are part of a mechanism to ensure that there are laboratories that have proven competence in the analysis of chemicals related to the Convention. Laboratories that have successfully completed the tests are designated by the Director General of the OPCW for analysis of authentic samples. To maintain the Designated Laboratory status, a laboratory must take and pass at least one of the two proficiency tests offered per calendar year. Unlike many proficiency tests, the OPCW PT is qualitative, that is the laboratories must determine if any of a very large set (essentially infinite) of chemicals relevant to the Convention are present in the samples. The tests are organised with the assistance of two laboratories, one preparing the test samples, and the other evaluating the test results. The paper provides an overview of the current status of these PTs and outlines salient features regarding procedure and scope of tests, selection of assisting laboratories, scoring and performance rating of participating labs. The emerging issues are also briefly discussed.     

ISO 15189-accredited laboratories fulfill the JCI Hospital Accreditation Standard requirements for the use of referral laboratories: report of a consensus meeting

Accreditation of healthcare services is recommended to ensure operation according to the highest quality standards. Various initiatives, such as legislation or accreditation by ISO or JCI, may be active to support and improve quality. The growing trend toward JCI hospital accreditation raised the concern of redundancy between JCI requirements for the use of referral laboratories and the ISO 15189 accreditation for medical laboratories. This would result in needless administrative efforts for hospital laboratories to collect and maintain required documentation, as the JCI quality requirements would be guaranteed given that the referral laboratory is ISO 15189 accredited for those examinations. A consensus meeting was organized by the Working Group for Hospital Accreditation of the Belgian Zorgnet-Icuro network, the University Hospitals of Leuven and the Red Cross to discuss the avoidance of any redundancy between both standards and to issue best practice guidelines for referral laboratories. It was concluded that JCI measurable elements for referral laboratories are covered by the ISO 15189 accreditation scope. The article substantiates the consensus that JCI and ISO quality requirements are harmonized and that accurate knowledge and interpretation of prevailing quality standards are essential to avoid redundancy in quality measures.     

Proficiency test on incurred and spiked pesticide residues in cereals

A proficiency test on incurred and spiked pesticide residues in wheat was organised in 2008. The test material was grown in 2007 and treated in the field with 14 pesticides formulations containing the active substances, alpha-cypermethrin, bifentrin, carbendazim, chlormequat, chlorpyrifos-methyl, difenconazole, epoxiconazole, glyphosate, iprodione, malathion, pirimicarb, prochloraz, spiroxamin and trifloxystrobin. After harvest, the test material was additionally spiked in the laboratory with three pesticides, that where the residues were too low, and axozystrobin. In total, 72 laboratories submitted results and z-scores were calculated for all laboratories and pesticides, except for glyphosate where only five laboratories submitted results and summed weighted z-scores were calculated for the laboratories with a sufficient scope. For several pesticides, the submitted results were strongly depending on the extraction procedure and consequently the assigned values were calculated based on part of the results. Acceptable z-scores were obtained by 56–97% of the participants.     

Accreditation of types of tests

 DACH, the German accreditation body of chemistry, which was founded in 1992, has introduced a new model for the flexibilization of the scope of accreditation. This ensures that the accreditation of a laboratory also guarantees flexibility. Flexibilization of the scope of accreditation is of great importance, in particular if a great number of similar routine tests (standard methods) or non-routine tests are to be accredited. The main tool of flexibilization is the accreditation of types of tests. The accreditation of types of tests entitles laboratories to include additional test methods within the type of test accredited without informing the accreditation body immediately. Such information is provided at fixed surveillance intervals. The conditions for the accreditation of types of tests are described below.     

环境监测站实验室产生的污染物的控制和处理

指出了环境监测站实验室产生的污染物虽属一类小型的污染源,但其涉及范围较广,因此,对其控制及处理不容忽视。文中还对此类污染物的特征作了较详细的阐述,并对其控制措施及处理方法提出了建议。     

Approach to Quality System in Research and Development

 There is growing interest in developing a general strategy and quality standards for possible accreditation or certification of R&D laboratories. This article discusses the scope and limitations of Quality Systems in R&D activities. The extension of QA to R&D centres in general requires emphasis on project management and scientific competence in addition to quality management and technical competence. Received: 11 September 1996 Accepted: 13 November 1996     

Evaluation of fission product isotopes for field or laboratory detection

An International Monitoring System (IMS) is being created to monitor the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Radionuclide aerosols will be monitored to provide positive proof of an atmospheric explosion. In addition, a group of laboratories will perform quality assurance and confirmatory analyses of samples of interest. The field and laboratory systems will perform gamma-ray spectrometric analysis of air filters. While laboratories may undertake additional analysis such as chemical separation and beta counting, the scope of the work reported here is to make evaluations with respect only to gamma-ray spectrometry. Activation products have not been completely considered and are shaded with uncertainty, from the probability of escape from an underground test and the dependence on the sub-surface elemental composition.     

Nanostructures in Physical Materials Chemistry: An Exploratory Laboratory

The blend of nanotechnology and material science is often beyond the scope of undergraduate laboratories. Through undergraduate research, graphite-intercalated compounds have been incorporated in the production of carbon-based nanostructures. Based on this work a series of exploratory exercises were designed for the undergraduate physical chemistry laboratory emphasizing nanostructure material science. This rapidly expanding area of science and technology can be introduced at an undergraduate level using a high temperature oven to produce nanostructure samples that are analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy at research university laboratories, infrared spectroscopy, and a bomb calorimeter. In these experiments we use samples of pure graphite, fluorinated graphite, and lanthanum oxide to induce the formation of nanostructures. An overview of fullerenes, nanotubes, boron nitride and Si nanostructures, other carbon forms, graphite-intercalated compounds, and the storage of hydrogen in nanotubes are provided in an appendix. Several extensions of the laboratory are proposed.     

Use of ISO Guides 25, 30, 31, 34, 35, and 9001 in re-engineering Bethlehem Steel Corporation's analytical chemistry reference materials program

 Many certified reference materials are needed to calibrate and control analytical measurement processes in integrated steel works. It is beyond the scope and capacity of most national laboratories to supply all of these needs. Yet, the demand for these materials is steadily increasing as more steel producers update their quality systems in preparation for ISO 9000 registration and/or ISO Guide 25 laboratory accreditation assessments. This paper describes how the Bethlehem Steel Corporation updated its reference materials program to meet its internal needs and offers a model for use by others in improving their programs. Received: 22 April 1998 · Accepted: 12 May 1998     

Supercritical fluid chromatography in research laboratories: design, development and implementation of an efficient generic screening for exploiting this technique in the achiral environment

A new strategy for exploiting SFC in the achiral arena has been designed, developed and successfully implemented in our Analytical Technologies laboratories, in support of Drug Discovery. The development of a generic analytical SFC/MS screening protocol, following extensive evaluation of different stationary phase, modifier and gradient elution combinations, has enabled fast analytical method development for structurally diverse compounds within both specialised and high-throughput purification environments. Application of this approach into the daily routine has provided data on a large number and a wide variety of reaction mixtures. The results confirm the scope and generality of the strategy with more than 85% of targets being successfully resolved from their impurities.     

Solvent-free reactivity in the undergraduate organic laboratory

Abstract

This review highlights progress made since 2000 in the development of solvent-free organic reactions for student use. It is directed at university instructors to illustrate the broad scope of solventless reactivity possible in undergraduate laboratories. Eliminating a reaction medium directly addresses the Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry and is a focal point of contemporary industrial research. Experimental conditions are straightforward to implement and include reactant grinding, room temperature stirring, microwave irradiation, and conventional heating. A wide range of functional group transformations is easily achievable. Solvent-free reactions are often complete in a matter of minutes and routinely require simplistic work-up and purification protocols. Procedures are compiled from educational resources (primarily pedagogical journals and laboratory manuals) and corollary green experimental elements emphasized where possible.     

Ligand Design to Acquire Specificity to Intended G-Quadruplex Structures

A G-quadruplex is a nucleic acid secondary structure that is adopted by guanine-rich sequences, and is considered to be relevant in various pharmacological and biological contexts. G-Quadruplexes have also attracted great attention in the field of DNA nanotechnology because of their extremely high thermal stability and the availability of many defined structures. To date, a large repertory of DNA/RNA G-quadruplex-interactive ligands has been developed by numerous laboratories. Several relevant reviews have also been published that have helped researchers to grasp the full scope of G-quadruplex research from its outset to the present. This review focuses on the G-quadruplex ligands that allow targeting of specific G-quadruplexes. Moreover, unique ligands, successful methodologies, and future perspectives in relation to specific G-quadruplex recognition are also addressed.     

Electron beam curing of composites in North America

Electron beam curing of fiber-reinforced composites was explored over 30 years ago. Since then there have been developments in accelerator technology, in processes for handling materials presented to an accelerator, and in materials that can be used as matrix binders. In recent years in North America, Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) have been formed involving collaboration amongst materials suppliers, accelerator manufacturers and service providers, national laboratories, such as Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and interested potential users. The scope and status of these CRADAs are reviewed along with other recent developments in the electron beam curing of composites in North America. Innovative and proprietary materials technology has been developed and progress made toward implementing commercial practice. Significant market interest has developed in the military/aerospace industries that are finding the process and performance of electron beam cured composites to offer significant benefits.     

“Green Star”: a holistic Green Chemistry metric for evaluation of teaching laboratory experiments

Abstract

This paper presents a new semi-quantitative metric, Green Star (GS), for evaluation of the global greenness of chemical reactions used in teaching laboratories. Its purpose is to help choose the more acceptable reactions for implementing Green Chemistry (GC) and to identify suitable modifications of protocols to improve the greenness of the chemistry practiced by students. GS considers globally, in principle, all the Twelve Principles of GC. The metric consists in the evaluation of the greenness of the reaction for each principle by pre-defined criteria, followed by graphical representation of the results in an Excel radar chart – the fuller the chart, the higher degree of greenness. To illustrate the construction and the scope of the metric, a case study is presented – the iron(II) oxalate dihydrate synthesis performed under several sets of conditions to pursue the implementation of greenness.     

EAL interlaboratory comparison Wa1 – Testing of potable water

 The accreditation of laboratories has emphasized the use of interlaboratory comparisons as a tool to monitor the comparability and accuracy of results laboratories produce. An interlaboratory comparison for water laboratories was organized among European Cooperation for Accreditation (EA) member countries; 30 laboratories, 7 of which were not accredited, from 14 European countries participated in this intercomparison. All the laboratories were chosen by the appropriate national accreditation bodies, with the instruction to select as participants those laboratories which act as national reference laboratories in this field. About 90% of the data collected was considered satisfactory after statistical treatment. Non-accredited laboratories performed as well as accredited laboratories. The laboratories were asked to take corrective action and report the corrections to the accreditation bodies. A great variation in the reported uncertainties of the results was observed. There seems to be a need to organize EA interlaboratory comparisons for national reference laboratories analysing water. It is obvious that even reference laboratories need training in how to estimate the uncertainty of results. Received: 22 July 1998 · Accepted: 21 September 1998     

Accreditation of small laboratories

 This paper presents the result of an investigation concerning which areas of EN 45001 are considered as especially problematic by small laboratories (<10 employees). The investigation was performed by distributing questionnaires to European laboratories. To be able to differentiate between areas considered as problematic only by small laboratories and areas considered as problematic by laboratories in general, some questionnaires sent in by larger (>10 employees) laboratories were used. The determination of measurement uncertainties within reasonable efforts and the requirements to take part in round robin and proficiency testing were considered problematic by laboratories of all sizes. Training is an area where small laboratories have specific problems and so are the requirements for the identification of all equipment. Other problematic areas for small laboratories are areas were there are needs for personnel, e.g. appointing supervising personnel and expenditure for internal audits. The last area to be considered as problematic is matters concerning documentation. Finally some advice concerning assessment of small laboratories is given. Received: 25 February 2000 / Accepted: 20 April 2000     

CE methods applied to the analysis of micronutrients in foods

This article reviews the applications of CE that are relevant to the analysis of small molecules in foods. CE has been applied to a wide range of important areas of food analysis and is rapidly being established as an alternative technique to chromatographic methods including HPLC and GC within analytical food and research laboratories. In recent years the analysis of food by CE has become more frequent and important and as such a variety of compounds have been separated and quantified. Although many other analytes have been detected by CE, this review will highlight areas relating primarily to the rather broad chemical classes of free amino acids, carbohydrates, organic acids, vitamins and a variety of antioxidants. In addition, information relating to the analyte, sample matrix, mode of CE employed, scope of the methodology and the detection and derivatization of the small molecules are considered and discussed.