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:Czech Republic
NAME:Věra Očenášková
Organisation:TGM Water Research Institute, p.r.i.
Do you think this could help your country to implement QA/QC: YES or NO Yes
If YES, would you like to be active in this activity (Conference call meeting in a small group): Exchange of opinions and attitudes of laboratories performing operational monitoring: we would like to be active in this activity, contact addresses are below. We propose the assessment of results of analyses for parameters with absence of methods of analysis meeting the minimum performance criteria for discussion, too.
.NAME and mail address:
Martin Ferencik – , ,
Povodi Labe, statni podnik, Vita Nejedleho 951, CZ-500 03 Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic
Petr Tusil –
TGM Water Research Institute, p.r.i., branch Ostrava, Macharova 5, 702 00, Ostrava, Czech Republic
Věra Očenášková -
TGM Water Research Institute, p.r.i., Podbabská 2582/30, 170 00 Prague, Czech Republic.
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? / LOQ, measurement uncertainty at EQS level,concentration range without dilution of samples, summary data on performance in PT´s
Quality Management System / What type of quality management system(s) in your country will be implemented in order to follow QA/QC directive? / Accreditation according ISO 17025. Analytical methods fit for purpose of WFD monitoring.
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? / Competent Authority(National Accreditation Body – Czech Accreditation Institute) undergoes audits.
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)? / Surveillance Monitoring activities are contracted both to private and public laboratories only on the bases of the lowest price offered (2007-2008). Operational Monitoring is carried out by the River Basin Authorities (RBA).
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? / Yes, it is organised through ISO 17025 and covered by accreditation. In-house sampling, sampling containers cleaning SOP´s, field blanks, duplicates, field checks, participation in national and international field sampling PT´s.
Sampling by externals / In case that sampling is done by external organisations, who is responsible for the results?Illustrate briefly this aspect. / Contractor for SurveillanceMonitoring is carrying out sampling of sediments and suspended solids according to in-house SOP´s and contracted laboratories are responsible for the analyses results. RBA’s in Operational Monitoring execute and are responsible for both.
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? / LOQ=<1/3 EQS if possible with at least 50 % uncertainty. LOQ= 3LOD or the lowest calibration level with required uncertainty.
The another definition: S/N ratio for LOD has to be 3 and for LOQ has to be 10
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? / BAT in monitoring laboratory.
The best available techniques are defined in methodical regulation for assessment of chemical and ecological status only for parameters with absence of minimum performance criteria for methods of analysis (priority substances in chemical status and specific pollutants in ecological status).
Who is responsible to define this concept? / The Ministry of Environment.
How do you decide that a given LQ is not achievable? / If monitoring laboratories cannot achieve required LQ by available equipment with required uncertainty.
Limit of detection / Do you think that LD is needed in the reporting format? Why? / No. Because values below LOQ cannot be used for evaluating of chemical or ecological status.
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? / Yes, it is applicable in all cases, according to implemented legislation.
The Ministry of Environment.
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, it is.
How is it organised on site? / Check upof measurementdevices on site with check solution.
Proficiency testing (PT) schemes and the QA/QC Directive
Topic / Question(s) / Answer(s) / RecommendationCompatibility of PT schemes / How do you assure that PT schemes samples are compatible with monitoring samples in terms of concentration? In terms of matrices? / We choose from national PT providers, if not available from international PT providers. We select drinking water and surface water or waste water. Matrix of “the whole water” is not available on the national level. / Mandatory participation of monitoring labs (which try out for procurement on WFD purposes monitoring) in appropriate PTs (concerning concentrations-close to EQS and matrices), at
Accreditation / Have you some requirements concerning the quality management system of PT providers? Should they be accredited? / Yes, they should be accredited or meet the requirement of ISO 17043.
Criteria for PT schemes / Do you implement criteria
- for laboratory results to PT Schemes?
- for annual participation frequency? / Z-score
Annually. / Contractors of WFD monitoring should set requirements on selection, performance and frequency of PT schemes for monitoring laboratories.
PT scheme scoring / Do you have some requirement for system of PT scheme scoring? / Z-score.
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