Europe: High standards for QS laboratory approval

In the most recent test, whether the laboratories had overcome the difficulties they had in analysing certain active substances in previous tests was specifically checked. A particular active substance mixture was prepared for this purpose. The potato prepared as the optimum matrix turned out to be the crucial test for the total of 74 laboratories from Germany and ten other European countries.

54 of the 77 QS-approved laboratories participated in the test. 46 of them passed it, 31 with the maximum number of points. The efforts made by the laboratories to cancel out the weaknesses shown in previous tests were clearly recognisable but despite this, eight QS-approved laboratories were not able to deliver a satisfactory result. As a consequence, five laboratories had their QS approval repealed and the three others are under specific observation. Things will get serious for them again in autumn 2014 when they have to prove their analytical abilities anew. If they do not pass the test, they will also lose their approval.

The result confirmed that several laboratories were not able to successfully implement the required corrective actions. The resultant withdrawal of approval is a consistent, contractually agreed measure with which QS ensures that the laboratories involved in residue monitoring work on a consistently high level and satisfy the demands placed on them. All economic operators as well as consumers must be able to rely on correct laboratory results.

In the overall evaluation of the test, a big difference was established once again between approved laboratories and those undergoing the approval procedure. Only nine of the 20 laboratories within the approval procedure participated successfully in the test. They have therefore taken the first hurdle towards full QS approval.

The test in detail
The laboratories were tasked with identifying and correctly quantifying seven active substances in the submitted test material within three days. The test matrix was not known to the laboratories. The potatoes were prepared with a mixture of active substances from current, new and long-established fungicides, insecticides and herbicides, including “problem substances” from the last tests, such as Chlorthalonil and Fluazifop-P. The laboratory performance assessment is regarded as passed if all of the added active substances are correctly identified and all but two of them correctly quantified as well.

For more information:
Stefan Martin
QS Fachgesellschaft Obst-Gemüse-Kartoffeln GmbH
Tel: +49 [0] 228 35068-150
Fax: +49 [0] 228 35068-16150
Email: presse@q-s.de
www.q-s.de