Graphical representation of interlaboratory comparison results

Example of a graphical representation of interlaboratory comparison results

Source: BAM

Since 2016, the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) has been organising interlaboratory comparisons on the analysis of waste wood every two years. The next waste wood interlaboratory comparison will be carried out in autumn 2022. The language will be German.

Participants

BAM offers its interlaboratory comparison programme for external quality assurance which is aimed in particular at test laboratories, which must provide proof of participation in interlaboratory comparisons to the notifiers of the German Federal States. In addition, all other laboratories have the opportunity to participate on a voluntary basis.

Background

This interlaboratory comparison on waste wood will be implemented in consultation with the notifiers from the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bavaria, Hamburg, Hesse, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, North Rhine-Westphalia, Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt.

Procedure

BAM dispatches wood samples with defined contents of relevant analytes as interlaboratory comparison samples (organic and inorganic parameters). Organisation and implementation are carried out according to the standards DIN EN ISO/IEC 17043 and DIN ISO 13528. The results are evaluated according to DIN 38402-45.

Parameters

Parameters for the waste wood interlaboratory comparison 2022:

  • Pentachlorophenol
  • Arsenic, lead, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury

Evaluation

The statistical evaluation of the results is carried out according to DIN 38402-A 45:2014-06 "Interlaboratory comparisons for external quality control of laboratories" using the combined Hampel/Q estimation procedure, a method of robust statistics.

Costs

The costs for an interlaboratory comparison, including evaluation and final report, amounts to €267 plus VAT. Information on current sample prices can be found in the information on the upcoming interlaboratory comparison and in the webshop.

Information on the next interlaboratory comparison

Registration for the upcoming interlaboratory comparison round starts in May 2022 via the BAM webshop.