About the analytes

Chlorate

Since 24th July 2020 Chlorate's LMR has been modified, this update is due because multiple matrixes did exceed the default LMR previously set. c1 This compound, in addition to being previosuly used as a pesticide is also a subproduct of the proceesing of potable water and disinfectants with chlorine. c1,c2

For some subgroups of european poblation as kids and infants with lack of iodine, exceeded the tolerable daily intake (TDI). Therefore, the LMR should be set at levels As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA), having updated them in the COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2020/749 of 4 June 2020, that states the LMRs should be reviewed during 2025. c1

For a certain part of the European poblation as kids and infants with lack of iodine it was detected that the tolerable daily intake (TDI) was exceeded, for this reason  in addition to preparing a plan to reduce as much as possible the presence of this contaminant (ALARA principle, As Low As Reasonably Achievable), setting too a MRL for aforementioned compound. c1

Until 2025 its planned to keep reviewing these MRLs, being available and up to date in the reglament (UE) 2020/749 of the comisión at 4th June 2020c3 .

Perchlorate

Perchlorate is a persistent contaminant p1 and although it is not cancinogenic, it has been found to be goitrogenic. It can be found in fruit and vegetables can be a result of the use natural fertilizers, contaminated irrigation water and disinfected water with chlorainated subtances.p2

Perchlorate on 1st July of 2020 got its LMR updated too by the COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) 2020/685 of 20 May 2020 p3.

The continous exposure to Chlorate and Perchlorate can lead to chronic inhibition of iodine uptake in humans due to the formation of methaemoglobin, which is a non-functional oxygen carrier. The aforementioned inhibition alter the hormonal system of the thyroid gland causing hypertrophy, causing alterations in the hormonal system of the thyroids, which can lead to the incorrect development and grow of toddlers and infants p4. Depending on the level of exposure it was also identified that the perchlorate can cause a multinodular goitre (excessive grow of thyroidal glad), causing hyperthyroidism p5.

QAC

For the Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QAC): DidecylDimethylAmmonium Chloride (DDAC) and AlkylBenzyldimethyAmmonium Chlorides (BAC) the COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 1119/2014 of 16 October 2014 established the MRL for those compounds. Both of them currently used as biocides and disinfectants, but DDAC used to be a fitosanitary until 2009 that it was repealed q1 and is no longer authorized for its use for plant protection in the EU q2 . As stated above and the reason why we can still find residues of these compounds on our food is because its use as a biocide for disinfection q3 . With the pandemic of corona virus all companies have been very careful disinfecting packages, and everything required by law in order to sell a safe product. 

Why participate in a proficiency test?

There are many reasons to schedule these quality controls, the participation in international proficiency tests helps laboratories detect improvements and ensure the results are reliable.

As of today, one of the main goals for any laboratory is increase its client’s trust in their analysis procedure and results obtained, checking that equipment, personel, solvents and all the steps and parts involved in the analysis are working as intented, providing trustworthy and realiable results.

As a laboratory its is now more important than ever to be able to obtain results with precision and accuracy to help your clients commercialice products safe for the end-user.

The continuous participation in proficiency tests can help you detect bias and check if any change or improvement made as an effect on the results obtained.

TestQual's international proficiency tests are a great and reliable service to help you check your results against laboratories from all around the world, helping you detect any deviation to correct it and ensure your clients continuous quality controls and improvements are being monitored by participating and checking your results against other laboratories.

Summary of the proficiency test

All the information about this PT can be found in the protocol, which can be downloaded from a link located in the right column of this page. 

This proficiency test will consist in a single round with a single sample, the amount of sample (aprox. 150-250g) to be distributed can be found in the protocol of this PT. If needed and justified, more amount of sample can be requested to the coordinator of the PT. Additional charges might apply.

The range of concentration for the target analytes of this proficiency test will be:

Approximately between 10 and 300 μg/kg (except sum parameters)

The target standard deviation (25%) for the analytes can be checked in the protocol.

For this PT the parameters to be analyzed are: 

PT Scheduled calendar

Check the right column of this page, in the “Dates” section.

*These dates are orientative and always will have to be checked in the protocol of the PT and the news in our webpage. Only participants inscribed in the proficiency test will receive the sample instructions/recommendations and the definitive date for the distribution of samples.

**PT is considered useful to a participant if a a certain % (internally determined according to our procedure) of present/spiked analytes will be studied.

Accreditation and standards

·Standars in which this proficiency test is based/accredited:

·UNE-EN ISO/IEC 17043:2010 General requirements for proficiency testing. (Proficiency test ACCREDITED). Check our scope of accreditation here.

·UNE-EN ISO/IEC 15328:2015 Statistical methods for use in proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparison

· HARMONIZED PROTOCOL FOR THE PROFICIENCY TESTING OF (CHEMICAL) ANALYTICAL LABORATORIES

·SANTE Guide into force: ANALYTICAL QUALITY CONTROL AND METHOD VALIDATION PROCEDURES FOR PESTICIDE RESIDUES ANALYSIS IN FOOD AND FEED

·Quick Method for the Analysis of Highly Polar Pesticides in Food Involving Extraction with Acidified Methanol a nd LC - or I CMS/MS Measurement - I. Food of Plant Origin (QuPPe-PO-Method) –Version 12 (published on EURL-SRM website on July 23, 2021); M. Anastassiades; A.-K. Wachtler; D. I. Kolberg; E. Eichhorn; H. Marks; A. Benkenstein; S. Zechmann; D. Mack; C. Wi ldgrube; A. Barth; I. Sigalov; S.Görlich; D.Dörk andG. Cerchia. URL: https://www.eurl-pesticides.eu/docs/public/tmplt_article.asp?CntID=887&LabID=200&Lang=EN

Why international proficiency tests with TestQual?

·18 years of experience in proficiency tests since our foundation.

·Possibility, if previously requested and applies (Multi-method, single residues, different analyte families,etc.) , to issue independent reports per group of analytes (groups are decided by TestQual).

·International proficiency tests with participants from different countries (currently up to 5 continents).

·Transparency: Results from spiking and quality controls (homogeneity, stability) available for any participant that requests it.

·Expanding network of distributors to give a better client service, using local language and within your time zone. If your country still does not have a distributor, please, contact us, we can still accept your order.

·We take care of all aspects of the shipping, so you can focus on the analysis.

· We are available at any time and any direct consult to TestQual has an inferior response time of 24h (working days).

·We do not publish beforehand the price of shipping because we are constantly negotiating with providers and couriers to improve and adjust our prices. However, if you need a closed price in the quote and need to know the shipping costs, please, let us know and we will include it.

How to apply and get your laboratory code

Those laboratories that want to participate and are not registered on our website can register through this link: START REGISTRATION

If your laboratory is already registered on our website you can start your application by clicking the link situated at the top or bottom of this page, in PARTICIPATE, once you have logged in you will have to enter your Limit of Quantification (LOQ) for the parameters that have to be studied. The analytes with LOQ equal to NA (NOT ANALYSED) will NOT appear in the website when submitting the results of the PT.

Once the application has been sent, as soon as possible (usually 24h) you will receive an email with your laboratory code for the participation in the PT.

**PT is considered useful to a participant if a a certain % (internally determined according to our procedure) of present/spiked analytes will be studied.

Contact us

If you have any doubt, if you want to get a quote or if we can help you in any other way, we are looking forward to helping you:

Thank you very much for your interest/trust in TestQual and our international proficiency tests.

If you want to receive a sample and participate click on the button "Participate" down below.