Is traceability an exclusive property of analytical results? An extended approach to traceability in chemical analysis

The need to adapt the definition of traceability in the Metrological Dictionary of ISO to the growing use of this concept in Analytical Chemistry aroused the broader, more flexible proposal expounded in this paper which aims to be closer to the bench level. The traceability concept is addressed in a hierarchical manner by ranking the different notions to which the qualifier “traceable” applies (results, standards, equipment and samples) in such a way that it is compatible with the ISO definition. Relationships among them and with classical analytical properties are also exposed. Received: 12 May 1997 / Revised: 22 July 1997 / Accepted: 25 July 1997