Interlaboratory studies Proficiency tests

Proficiency tests (PTs) on PBDEs, HBCDDs are organised in a food matrix and/or a feed matrix once a year. The objective is to assess analytical performance of laboratories and the interlaboratory comparability of results from analyses of these analytes in the target matrices. These exercises include the use of physico-chemical confirmatory and bioanalytical screening methods.

National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) for halogenated POPs in Feed and Food from EU member states are requested to participate as part of their work programme for 2021. NRLs are invited to encourage the participation of Official Laboratories (OFLs) from their member states as part of their duties following Article 101 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The evaluation of results is performed according to ISO 13528:2022 and the IUPAC “International Harmonized Protocol for the Proficiency Testing of Analytical Chemistry Laboratories”. At the end of the PT, a certificate is issued to each participant.

Proficiency tests on CPs are focussing on enhancing comparability between the many different analysis methods currently in use. As previous exercises have shown that sample preparation only plays a minor role in determining comparability, main objective is harmonisation of GC and LC methods, if possible both for HRMS and LRMS. These exercises are organised once per year, samples will be prepared from food available on the market. Analytes of interest are SCCPs, MCCPs and the sum of CPs (total CPs for LRMS or non-MS instruments). Homologue patterns are requested, but not evaluated as part of the exercise.

National Reference Laboratories (NRLs) for halogenated POPs in Feed and Food from EU member states are requested to participate as part of their work programme for 2021. NRLs are invited to encourage the participation of Official Laboratories (OFLs) from their member states as part of their duties following Article 101 of Regulation (EU) 2017/625 of the European Parliament and of the Council. The evaluation of results is performed according to ISO 13528:2022, the IUPAC “International Harmonized Protocol for the Proficiency Testing of Analytical Chemistry Laboratories” and the “General protocol for EU Proficiency tests on Pesticide Residues in Food and Feed”. At the end of the PT, a certificate is issued to each participant.

Interlaboratory studies on emerging and novel brominated contaminants in food matrices are organised annually since 2021 to further method harmonisation and competency among the NRLs. They have been previously included in other PT schemes as optional analytes, e.g. in fish fillet 2020, but without further evaluation due to low participation. Analytes of interest are PBBz, HBB, PBT, PBEB, BTBPE, DBDPE and TBX; exercises on brominated contaminants might additionally include PBDEs, HBCDD and TBBPA. Official laboratories, research laboratories and commercial laboratories performing the analysis of samples taken by food business operators are invited to participate in these interlaboratory studies. The evaluation of results is performed according to ISO 13528:2022 and the IUPAC “International Harmonized Protocol for the Proficiency Testing of Analytical Chemistry Laboratories”.