Name of STE: Dr. Manfred Sengl

Mission Report

Name of STE: Dr. Manfred Sengl

Dates of mission: 01.-03. July 2009

Activity: 4.5 Draft National Surface Water Strategy According to Art.16 WFD

Mission task(s): Training on analytical quality control for quality managers of the laboratories of Croatian Waters and laboratories with contracts for chemical analysis for surveillance monitoring

Work carried out (according mission task):

Date: / Persons met: / Remarks: /
2009/07/01 / Marija Marijanović Rajčić, Helena Crnojević, Ivan Śnajder;
Ivana Mandić (Institute of Public Health), Gordana Mendaš, Sanja Stipičević (Institute of Medical Research); / Meeting at the laboratory of HV;
Training on structure and contents of a quality management handbook according to ISO 17025
2009/07/02 / Marija Marijanović Rajčić, Helena Crnojević, Ivan Śnajder;
Ivana Mandić (Institute of Public Health), / Meeting at the laboratory of HV;
Training on method validation and estimation of measurement uncertainty according to ISO 17025
2009/07/02 / Marija Marijanović Rajčić, Helena Crnojević, Ivan Śnajder;
Draženka Stipaničev / Meeting at the laboratory of HV;
Training on quality control for sampling;
Discussion on methods used for chemical monitoring

The aim of this mission was

- to provide training for quality managers of the laboratories of Croatian Waters, Institute for Medical Research and Institute of Public Health emphasizing

- structure and contents of a quality management handbook

- procedures for method validation

- procedures for the estimation of measurement uncertainty

- possibilities for quality control for sampling

Results:

Status of accreditation

The laboratories of Croatian Waters and the Institute for Medical Research are in the process of preparing their quality management handbook according to ISO 17025. Both laboratories plan to apply for accreditation in the near future.

The laboratory of the Institute of Public Health has an accreditation for methods in microbiology and chemistry. The methods used for chemical monitoring according to WFD are not in the scope of the accreditation. These methods could be added during the next audit of the accreditation body.

All laboratories have designated quality managers responsible for the introduction and maintenance of the quality management system.

Development of the quality management handbook

The detailed discussion on structure and contents of the quality management handbook will contribute to the process of handbook writing. Examples for single chapters were given and discussed in detail.

On request the quality manager of the Institute of Public Health offered a meeting with the other quality managers in order to share their experience.

Procedures for method validation were presented. The elements of “basic validation” (linearity of the calibration, definition of working range, limit of detection, limit of determination, check of precision and accuracy) down to everyday validation activities were discussed along various examples.

For the estimation of measurement uncertainty experts on the European levels clearly are in favour of the procedure described by NORDTEST (link for download: http://www.nordicinnovation.net/nordtestfiler/tec537.pdf).

Recommendation: Croatian laboratories should use the NORDTEST procedure for estimation of measurement uncertainty.

Recommendation: It should be checked with the Croatian accreditation body which technical requirements have to be fulfilled in detail (e.g. application of defined Croatian standards, which procedure for measurement uncertainty is accepted etc.).

Quality control for water sampling

The requirements for sampling of surface waters were discussed in detail. Quality control procedures must be applied for all steps from sampling planning, materials, sample transport, documentation (sampling protocols), on-site-measurements and transfer of samples to the laboratory. Practical examples for all single steps were given.

Time frame for Croatian Waters

The internal deadline for finalisation of the quality management handbook in the laboratory of Croatian Waters is end of 2009.

Additional topics

1) The status of activities for proficiency testing systems on an international level was discussed:

a)  “PT-WFD” = network of PT providers to support the implementation of the WFD (information on http://www.pt-wfd.eu)

The first two interlaboratory tests (volatile organic compounds and pesticides) will be done in October 2009. The deadline for application was 30th of June.

b)  commercial proficiency testing scheme by company “LGC Standards” (information on http://www.lgcpt.com/productviewwide.aspx?SchemeID=77)

LGC Standards is starting with interlaboratory tests (see “Aquacheck Specials”) for priority substances in November 2009. Application is still possible.

Recommendation: The laboratories involved in chemical monitoring should participate in the proficiency testing rounds offered. For 2010 financial means for the participation must be organised. In new tenders for contracting laboratories the obligation to take part in these interlaboratory tests should be stressed.

2) The database for the results of chemical monitoring of priority substances at surveillance monitoring sites is already receiving results.

Further work to be carried out: / By whom: / Until when: /

Date of the next mission: 26.-28.07.2009

Necessary preconditions for the next mission: availability of results of impact and pressure analysis, information on first results of the chemical monitoring according to WFD

Annexes:

Anm. Senta Berner

HV lab can not react flexible on new challenges since the budget is pre-defined. This can cause problems during monitoring activities where a certain flexibility is of high importance.