Detection limits and quantitation limits in the view of international harmonization and the consequences for analytical laboratories

 In the literature and in daily work there exist many different models to describe detection limits and quantitation limits in the chemical measurement process (CMP). It is still an open question whether the evaluation of detection and quantitation limits should be an one-off process carried out during the validation of a CMP, or whether it should be a continuous process. Because of these reasons many laboratories have difficulties to interprete such values. It is necessary that the official standardization bodies should do some efforts in the international harmonization of the special standards concerning detection and quantitation limits. Received: 3 November 1997 · Accepted: 25 January 1998