QA/ QC IMPLEMENTATION / PROPOSAL FOR A QUESTIONNAIRE TO MS

AIM: Exchange of current practices and approaches to implement QA/QC directive .

Some aspects of the directive need to be clarified or at least harmonized in view of comparability at European level.

DEADLINE FOR COMMENT ON QUESTIONNAIRE : 21 December, 2010

Planning : January 2011-Mid February : Answer collection

March 2011: Report with needs and recommendations.

COUNTRY : ………Belgium…………………………….

NAME:………Ingrid Temmerman…………………………….

Organisation:VMM(Vlaamse Milieumaatschappij); Flemish Environment Agency

Do you think this could help your country to implement QA/QC: YES maybe or NO

If YES, would you like to be active in this activity (Conference call meeting in a small group): yes

NAME and mail address: Ingrid Temmerman,

General aspects of the QA/QC Directive

Topic / Question(s) / Answer(s)
Scope of QA/QC / From your understanding, what are the parameters concerned with this directive? / Analysis and monitoring of WFD parameters (priority substances and other hazardous substances) in surface water, groundwater, sediment and biota
Quality Management System / What type of quality management system(s) in your country will be implemented in order to follow QA/QC directive? / ISO 17025 is already implemented
If there will be no change to the current situation, could you explain briefly the current system that exists? How will the directive requirementsbe checked? / Discussion is still going on about the way the QA/QC will be implemented : accreditation by the Flemish/Walloon government or accreditation by BELAC (federal government), both are based on ISO 17025. Most of the QA/QC requirements, such as proficiency tests, reference material,… are covered by the ISO 17025, implementation of article 4 will need special attention.
Organization in MS / Are the operational activities ‘sampling and analysis” for water monitoring program (WFD) contracted to private labs or public institutes (one or more)? / Yes, one private lab

Aspects of sampling under the QA/QC Directive

Topic / Question(s) / Answer(s)
Relevance for sampling / Do you in your country consider sampling to be covered by this directive? / yes
Sampling and QA/QC / In case you have a quality management system for sampling,describe it briefly. Is it organised through ISO 17025? / Acknowledgment by the Flemish government based on ISO 17025 and results of a proficiency test organised by the Flemish government (partnership with the reference laboratory VITO)
Sampling by externals / In case that sampling is done by external organisations, who is responsible for the results?Illustrate briefly this aspect. / Not applicable

Limit of quantification (LQ) and Limit of detection (LQ) under the QA/QC Directive

Topic / Question(s) / Answer(s)
LQ / The definition of LQ (limit of quantification) indicates an «acceptable» level of accuracy and precision. Which level will be defined in your country? / The level of accuracy and precision is defined for each separate parameter, mostly as part of the validation process, but always with respect to legislation or other requirements
Best available techniques / How do you define the concept of “best available techniques not entailing excessive costs” in view of the required minimum limit of quantification? / VITO's BAT-centre supports authorities in the implementation of BAT and the European IPPC Directive through the evaluation and development of policy instruments.
The BAT Centre bases its advice on a profound knowledge of environmental techniques, economic aspects and BAT evaluation. It has a unique role as it is involved in all aspects of IPPC and BAT determination, both on a national and international scale. In recent years, the BAT-Centre has evolved to become a leading player in IPPC implementation and support inside and outside Europe, with references in e.g. Spain, Slovenia, Greece, Israel and Asia.
Who is responsible to define this concept?
How do you decide that a given LQ is not achievable? / If the calculated LQ is higher than the required LQ (EQS/3), when in practice the concentration can’t be measured with sufficient accuracy, based on proficiency test results at concentration level of the LQ
Limit of detection / Do you think that LD is needed in the reporting format? Why? / It is not needed when the relation to LQ is known, more important is to report the way LD is calculated (formula, sample, matrix, concentration level)
Below LQ / Do you consider calculation of the mean with LQ/2 is only applicable if analytical performance criteria (LQ<NQE/3) are achieved? Is it applicable in all cases? Who is responsible to define this concept?
On which criteria? / 1)calculation with LQ/2 can be done in any case, even when LQ<NQE/3 is not achieved
2)it is only applicable for those substancesfor which the criteria LQ< NQE/3 is realistic and achievable, it is not applicable in case of compounds where the analytical method does not already exist oris inadequate for the determination of substances at the WFD concentration level, cfr. Mandate from the European Commission to CEN / TC 230 (M 424) to develop and/or the enhancethe analytical methods (chemical and biological and biological) for substances like OCP, PAH TBT, PBDE in whole water samples.
3)the Flemish government is responsable for the implementation of the QA/QC directive, the Flemish Environment Agency (VMM) is responsible for defining the concept.
The VMM is a Flemish government agency. All aspects of the environmental policy (except product policy, protection of the North Sea and ionising radiation) lie within the exclusive competence of the regions in Belgium.
Environmental policy in Flanders is part of the policy domain Environment, Nature and Energy, for which the Flemish Minister of Environment, Nature and Energy is responsible.
The VMM is an internally independent agency with powers of jurisdiction. The mission of VMM is to contribute to the realisation of the objectives of the environmental policy by:
- preventing, limiting and eliminating the harmful effects to water systems and the atmosphere;
- reporting on the state of the environment;
- the realisation of the objectives of integrated water management.

Field measurements

Topic / Question(s) / Answer(s)
Field measurements and ISO 17025 / Do you consider that field measurements (pH, Oxygen, etc…) have to be undertaken through ISO 17025 / yes
How is it organised on site? / Organisation is done in the same way as measurements in the laboratory : validated methods, quality control procedures, participation in proficiency tests, use of reference material.
ISO 17025 appliance is confirmed by means of acknowledgment by the Flemish government.

Proficiency testing (PT) schemes and the QA/QC Directive

Topic / Question(s) / Answer(s)
Compatibility of PT schemes / How do you assure that PT schemes samples are compatible with monitoring samples in terms of concentration? In terms of matrices? / By searching the best compatible schemes, (mostly done by the QA manager) , first in terms of matrices, then in terms of concentration.
Some PT schemes are obligatory as part of the Flemish acknowledgment
of laboratories performing analysis of water.
Accreditation / Have you some requirements concerning the quality management system of PT providers? Should they be accredited? / PT providers should be accredited, they should take into account al possible matrices and levels of concentration. Accreditation of PT providers should guarantee a uniform scoring system.
Criteria for PT schemes / Do you implement criteria
- for laboratory results to PT Schemes?
- for annual participation frequency? / Yes
- evaluation of performance by means of the z-score, the z-score in relation to the measurement uncertainty and trend analysis of z-scores (ISO 13528, BELAC 2-106 Proficiency Testing: rules for the participation of testing laboratories and evaluation of performance during accreditation assessments)
- at least once a year for each matrix
PT scheme scoring / Do you have some requirement for system of PT scheme scoring? / -
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