Trial samples for 2010

We would like to sincerely thank you for continuing to use our service and look forward to working with you again in 2010.

We are committed to using customer feed back to improve our services and focus on the needs of our customers. With this in mind we have been able to offer a number of trials samples with in our existing PT schemes

QFCS

(Round 166 February) Trial sample 772 for nutritional analysis in a simulated ready to eat product

(Round 170 June) Trial sample 773 for pesticide analysis in a fruit/vegetable matrix

For full details please see the application forms and scheme descriptions

QMAS

(Round 167 March) Trial sample 738 for the analysis of Clostridium perfringens, sulphite reducing clostridia (SRC) and coagulase positive staphylococci

(Round 174 October) Trial sample 739 for the analysis of Escherichia coli and Coagulase positive staphylococci in fish or shellfish

(Round 174 October) Trial sample 740 for the analysis of Salmonella species, also in fish or shellfish

(Round 169 May) Trial sample 741 for heavy metal analysis (arsenic, cadmium, mercury and lead) in shellfish

(Round 175 November) Trial sample 742 for the same test parameters in a fish matrix

For full details please see the application forms and scheme descriptions

QMS

(Round 168 April) Trial sample 742 for the detection of Shigella spp

For full details please see the application forms and scheme descriptions

QUARTZ

Trial samples for the analysis of blood in alcohol for ‘driving impairment’

For full details please see the application forms and scheme descriptions

Please note that all the trial samples on offer for 2010 are currently not included in our scope of accreditation

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LGC Standards Proficiency Testing is pleased to announce its 4th Environmental Quality and Proficiency Testing Day, to be held on Thursday 12th November 2009, at Scarman House, University of Warwick. We invite you to join us in reviewing our current environmental PT schemes (Aquacheck, CONTEST and QWAS) enabling you to provide feedback to assist in the future development of these schemes and help ensure they continue to meet your needs. Such reviews are important to enable us to build on our strengths and enhance our services for the future. To complement the scheme reviews we are pleased to welcome four guest speakers: • David Lowe (UKAS): Reference materials – Traceability and Accreditation of Suppliers • Professor Huw Smith (SPDL): CRYPTS Update • Nick Boley (LGC): Developing Novel Reference Materials • Dean Leveret (Environment Agency): Practical Applications for Assessing the Impact of Chemicals on the Environment To book your place, please complete the form at this link: Attachment Posted On: 15 Sep 2009

Phytochemical Testing Assurance Scheme (PHYTAS) LGC Standards a global leader in proficiency testing services to the food, pharmaceutical, beverages, and environmental sectors, is pleased to announce the launch of its new proficiency testing scheme - PHYTAS - for the determination of analytes in botanical products. As extracts of living matter, the quality and potency of botanical products is subject to variation, giving rise to uncertainty amongst consumers, analysts and regulators alike. By standardising the quality of analysis, one of the variables is removed and help to achieve consistency in the quality of the finished product for the consumer. In response to demands from the phytochemical industry, LGC Standards Proficiency Testing has developed a specific scheme to enable this sector to gain from the many benefits of participation in proficiency testing. Participating in PHYTAS allows results to be compared with industry colleagues in complete confidence. It may also be used in method and instrument evaluation and it can demonstrate reliability of analytical performance to customers and regulators. The structure of the scheme will include both qualitative and quantitative analysis. Two samples will be supplied; one for confirmation of identity and a second for quantification of specified analyte(s). A number of materials have been suggested by participants for inclusion in the scheme. Further information about PHYTAS, including test material availability, round despatch dates and reporting deadlines, are available on the current PHYTAS application form and scheme description. The PHYTAS scheme year operates from September to August. For further information please contact LGC Standards Proficiency Testing via e-mail customerservices@lgcpt.com or telephone +44 (0)161 762 2500 or fax +44 (0)161 762 2501. Please note PHYTAS is not currently included in our UKAS scope of accreditation Posted On: 21 Aug 2009

We are delighted to announce the introduction of a new group of samples for this scheme year aimed at those laboratories analysing blood in alcohol for driving impairment purposes. The trial rounds will comprise a 10ml vial of blood, containing alcohol around or above the current legal limits. Participants will be required to quantify the alcohol concentration by their usual method and to report their results for assessment. Two trial rounds will be provided, 14 December 2009 and 14 June 2010. As trials, the ‘driving impairment’ rounds are not included in our current scope of accreditation. For further technical details about the scheme please contact Email: customerservices@lgcpt.com Telephone: +44 (0)161 762 2500 Posted On: 21 Aug 2009

You can now calculate your own z score for all our schemes in the Reports and Assigned Values page on our website www.lgcpt.com You will be instructed to click on the relevant link depending upon the type of analysis carried out (chemistry or microbiology) and then follow the instructions in the downloaded spreadsheet. If you have ordered a repeat test for any of our PT samples, and need to calculate your z-score, or if you miss the results deadline and still need to calculate your z-score you may use the calculator, but you will need the assigned value and standard deviation for proficiency testing contained in the full report, so check that this is available on the website before you use the calculator. Posted On: 21 Aug 2009

As a PT provider for over 20 years, LGC Standards have a wealth of experience dealing with customer enquiries regarding all aspects of proficiency testing. We have gathered together the most commonly asked questions with their answers this is designed to answer 90% of enquiries, but we appreciate that not all eventualities are covered here. If you can't find the question or answer you are looking for, please e-mail it to us via customerservices@lgcpt.com and we will be happy to help. Posted On: 21 Aug 2009

LGC Standards Proficiency Testing is proud to announce the launch of our brand new reporting software PORTAL as part of our process for continual improvement.

PORTAL - Proficiency Online Reporting and Trend AnaLysis - offers a single web based reporting system to be used across all the LGC Standards Proficiency Testing schemes. PORTAL incorporates the best features of our existing systems alongside a number of improvements and new additions, ensuring that whichever scheme a customer participates in they will benefit.

Benefits of PORTAL

• Multi analyst reporting
• Multi method reporting
• Each analyst can have their own login
• Edit or delete results prior to the deadline
• Results can be entered on behalf of an analyst
• Customisable trend analysis
• Assign permission levels for scheme access
• Define laboratory results and analyst results
• Automated unit conversion
• View different schemes within one account
• Measurement uncertainty reporting
• Individual reports online
• View reports online 24/7
• One unified reporting system that covers all schemes

Which schemes are using PORTAL?

Only Aquacheck, CONTEST and DAPS are currently reported via PORTAL.

Eventually all schemes will use PORTAL, however there will be a transitional period therefore during this period, if you participate in any other schemes, we will contact you prior to each despatch to confirm which reporting platform you should be using.

PORTAL user guide

We advise that prior to using PORTAL you read the PORTAL user guide by clicking https://www.lgcpt.com/portal and then selecting ‘help’ from the menu.

Posted On: 05 May 2009

Hard copy reports

As of January 2009 we will not be providing hard copy reports for the legacy QM schemes to participants automatically. Any customer wishing to receive hard copy reports will be charged. As a result we will not provide binders for the reports.

This will be of great benefit in terms of our environmental impact, but just what does it mean in terms of sheets of paper, and trees saved?

A few facts:

A typical report is up to 120 pages in length, weighs 370g and we send 700 out in a typical round. That's 84,000 pages per round and 1,008,000 pages per annum. That's 3,108,000g of paper or 3.1 tonnes for one scheme. Multiply this across the other schemes, the estimated saving is in the region of 5 tonnes of paper per annum. Using a scientifically calculated conversion factor, this equates to over 120 trees which will not need to be cut down to prepare our reports. Add to this the power to run the presses and the inks to print, the fuel to send them to destinations all over the world, and you can see how our environmental impact is significantly reduced by this step.

Posted On: 20 Jan 2009

QCS

New chemistry analytes have been added to sample QM715 - total sugars and butyric acid. No changes to microbiology samples for 2009.

QDCS

No changes in the distribution of samples or samples offered on the QDCS scheme for 2009.
However additional analytes have been added to samples QM43, QM51, and QM52:

• QM43 - pH, Bulk Density, Lactose, Insolubility Index
• QM51 - WPNI, Titratable Acidity, Insolubility Index
• QM52 - WPNI, Titratable Acidity, Insolubility Index
• (WPNI = Whey Protein Nitrogen Index. This is used as an indicator of the heat treatment applied to the milk powder and the denaturisation of milk proteins during the heat treatment)

QFCS

No additional samples or analytes added for 2009.
Sample QM762 and QM763 for colours have been re-scheduled to go out in the May and November rounds (QM762 was July and November; QM763 was May and July in 2008).

It is also likely that QFCS will be of interest to customers of QMAS

QGS

The distribution of rounds has been re-scheduled to May and November for 2009. No other changes to this scheme.

QMAS

A new trial sample has been added, QM737 for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes to be distributed in the March round.
No other additions or deletions have been made to the scheme. However, for the fat parameter on samples QM731 and QM734, customers will be able to report total fat and/or extractable fat.
Please remember that QMAS also has a specific sample for nutritional analysis of Fish which should be of interest to any processors of fish products.

QMS

No significant changes to the scheme. In 2008 an atypical strain of Listeria seeligeri was used in sample QM07D144, which grew poorly on Oxford Agar. The use of this strain was consistent with the principles of PT but use in future samples will be carefully considered. It is possible that Enterobacter sakazakii will change name to Cronobacter sakazakii, but this change has not yet taken place and the name will remain Enterobacter sakazakii on the schedules and in reports for 2009.

SUPS

The following materials will be available for testing in 2009:

• Sample 1 – Cane/beet sugar: Colour, turbidity, ash and reflectance grade
• Sample 2 – Cane/beet sugar: Metals
• Sample 3 – Cane/beet sugar: Sulfur dioxide and reducing sugars
• Sample 4 – Cane/beet sugar: Sediment
• Sample 5 – Molasses Trial
• Sample 6 – Lyophilised Material (Micro): Total aerobic mesophilic count

A trial molasses material will also be made available for testing later in the year.
Following last year’s successful Microbiology trial, these materials have now been incorporated within the SUPS scheme in 2009
For full details please see the application forms and scheme descriptions.

Posted On: 19 Jan 2009

Aquacheck

• The water radiochemistry will be moved from a special to the main scheme. The gross alpha/gross beta sample will become Group 30 and the tritium sample will become Group 31. It will be despatched four times a year along with the clean organics distribution
• The oil/grease special will move into the main scheme as Group 24 and will be despatched three times a year along with Group 20A
• Group 20A will be re-numbered as Group 23
• The sewage sludge special will become Group 16 in the main scheme. Some homogeneity testing will need to be introduced. It will be despatched three times a year.

Changes to the Aquacheck ‘Specials’:

Two collaborative WFD PTs will be introduced – these will be run as part of the WFD-PT network. The samples will be prepared by the project leader. LGC Standards will market and sell the samples; there are no market limitations. We will despatch all the samples and take receipt of the results. The results will be sent to the project leader who will assess the results and produce the report. We will send the report to the customer. These will replace Samples E and I from the WFD special. The other samples will run again next year.
Sulfide, metaldehyde, formaldehyde and triclosan samples will be introduced

CONTEST

• A new organics solution (C14b) for low molecular weight hydrocarbons will be added. The current C14 sample will become C14a

The following potential changes will be investigated during the next year:

• Inclusion of BTEX in soil
• Inclusion of a sample for assessment of dry matter

STACKS

New scheme introduced in 2008

QWAS

A new trial sample has been added, QM422 which is a sea water sample for analysis for total coliforms, faecal coliforms, and Salmonella. This is intended for analysis as a sea water sample for bathing purposes (as monitored by the EU for awarding ‘blue flag’ status to beaches). This sample is added to 1 litre of sterile water containing 3% w/w salt to simulate sea water.

For full details please see the application forms and scheme descriptions.

Posted On: 19 Jan 2009

QBS

Major changes have taken place to this scheme, which has been merged with the legacy LGC scheme SODAS. No changes have been made to the microbiology samples QM501 – QM505.
For the chemistry samples QM511, QM512 and QM513 have been removed from the scheme, and have been replaced by samples QM515 - QM519. These samples provide a much wider range of analytes for customers testing soft drinks. We also now offer carbonated drinks for analysis, and analysis for minerals and heavy metals in fruit juice and soft drinks.

BAPS

In order to simplify the reporting of diacetyl, pentanedione and VDK the following changes have been implemented for 2009:
Total diacetyl & free diacetyl have been altered to 'free diacetyl' by gas chromatography (GC). Total diacetyl is the term used for analysis where the pre-incubation step (aeration and heat) is employed to convert alpha acetolactate to diacetyl. This step is used when analysing actively fermenting wort because alpha-acetolactate present in the wort can be converted to diacetyl during processing (pasteurisation) and therefore if the step is not included falsely low results for diacetyl can be obtained. There is no requirement to "pre-incubate" final pack samples prior to the analysis of diacetyl. Therefore for BAPS samples the pre-incubation step should NOT be carried out and the results should be reported as "Free diacetyl".
Total 2,3 pentanedione & free 2,3 pentanedione have been altered to 'Free 2,3 pentanedione'. Similar to free diacetyl analysis - the pre-incubation step to convert alpha-acetolactate to pentanedione is not required and results should be reported as free pentanedione.
Total VDK has been altered to 'Free VDK as diacetyl' and the units have been changes to mg/L (originally µg/L). As above, in the distillation procedure please do not include a pre-incubation step - results are to be reported as free VDK. The reporting unit has been altered to µg/litre to bring it into the same units as the GC procedure.

DAPS

• Residual gravity to be added as an additional analyte to samples A1 and A2
• pH to be added as an additional test for sample A1
• IR (‘IR/alcolyser’) to be added as a method for actual alcoholic strength for samples B1, B2 and B3
• Reducing sugars to be changed to the separate sugars for samples D1 and D2

MAPS

NDMA analysis in Malt – The standard deviation used to calculate z-scores will be altered to

• Assigned value ≤2.5μg/kg (as is basis) = 0.5μg/kg
• Assigned value >2.5μg/kg (as is basis) = 1.0μg/kg

For full details please see the application forms and scheme descriptions. Posted On: 19 Jan 2009

QUARTZ

We are pleased to announce that a new sample, comprising a standard solution, will also be available for the coming scheme year; this is designed to assist laboratories in assessing their competency in instrumentation analysis. The standard solution will be available in rounds 35 and 37, and will contain drugs that have been included in previous QUARTZ distributions. Drugs for the standard solutions may be chosen to reflect current issues or to enable participants to investigate the analysis of difficult parameters.

QMIS

The name of the scheme has been changed to Microbiology Investigation Scheme

PACQS

This is the second year and it will continue to run in a similar format and with the same timescales and deadlines as year 2008

PHARMASSURE

On the advice of the Advisory Group, the SDPA for the titration will be changed
Following discussions at the Advisory Group and the recent survey of customers, it was agreed to add another type of titration to the basic chemistry tests
Advanced chemical tests will include advanced HPLC, FTIR, flame photometry and UV & TLC
The current microbiology tests will become Level 3 in the scheme, offering two identification tests and two enumeration tests per annum

• the identification samples will be for low level membrane filtration
• the enumeration samples will cover total counts, S.aureus, E.coli and yeast & moulds

A new sterility test will be added; this will become Level 4 in the scheme

• This will consist of five vials, 3 negative controls and 2 low level (<100cfu/vial) contamination vials
• The sterility test will be offered four times a year
• Participants will be allowed to just take the first round of the sterility test for a special trial price

TOYTEST

No technical changes to scheme. However in 2009 a series of trial rounds will be made available which will include: Azo-dyes; Pthalates; Total Lead in Paint Coatings.

DCALS

No change.

For full details please see the application forms and scheme descriptions.

Posted On: 19 Jan 2009

Please find below a list of trial samples we will be offering in 2009. If they prove to be successful they will be considered for incorporation in to the scheme(s).

You can order the samples directly from customerservices@lgcpt.com or via our global network of distributors.

QMAS Meat Scheme

• Trial sample QM737 for the detection Listeria monocytogenes is available in the March round

QWAS Water Scheme

• Trial sample QM422 sea water for bathing purpose as monitored by the EU for awarding ‘blue flag’ status for beaches is available in the April round

SUPS Sugar Scheme

• Trial molasses material will be available for testing in 2009

TOYTEST Scheme

• Trial rounds for 2009 will include Azo-dyes, Pthalates, and Total lead in paint coatings

Posted On: 19 Jan 2009

We are working towards the new reporting system that will replace ERS and PTManager to improve the information provided in our reports. This will involve changes to the way in which customers will be able to report results. The main change is that customers will have to provide a single ‘laboratory’ result for statistical analysis. Customers will still be able to report multiple results and receive z-scores, up to a maximum of 10 per test. The change will mean that greater information is available to customers, such as the ability to view results by method, change the graphical representations of results and more. A standard pdf report will still be provided to all customers.

Your login details will remain the same as ERS.

Manual data return

As of 1st January 2009 all results submissions must be via the ERS system. Any customer wishing to return results by an alternative method, such as mail, fax, or e-mail will be charged a single annual fee.

All participants will be contacted with further details prior to the launch date so will be ready to go as soon as we 'go live'.

Posted On: 19 Jan 2009

To bring the despatch of all samples in line with other PT schemes, samples during 2009 will be sent on Mondays instead of Thursdays. This will reduce sample storage time with couriers especially over the weekend and their subsequent delivery times. Posted On: 19 Jan 2009

A new PT network is formed

LGC Standards Proficiency Testing (PT) recently took part in the formation of a new EU collaborative network of proficiency testing providers for water framework directive (WFD) monitoring. The network is based on a flexible structure with no legal identity and depends exclusively on a self-commitment agreement between the members. The network members, who include LGC Standards Proficiency Testing, are all PT providers with experience of schemes related to WFD monitoring analyses.

The network is made up of full members, who are the PT providers themselves, and external advisors, who are experts in the field of proficiency testing from European academic institutes and governmental organisations. LGC Standards PT is a full member of the network and was one of the three full members elected to be on the Network Advisory Board. The network has a number of 'aims' related to the provision and organisation of WFD proficiency testing schemes, all of which will be carried out under the umbrella and logo of PT-WFD:

• Providing harmonised PT schemes that meet the specific requirements of the WFD, operated in accordance with ISO/IEC Guide 43 (ISO/IEC17043)
• Harmonised and comparable performance evaluation, according to ISO 13528, of European labs involved in WFD monitoring analysis
• Organisation of pan-European PTs for analytes that are analysed only by few labs, through combining forces on new developments and gaps in the spectrum of required WFD PT schemes
• Economically sound organisation of PT schemes due to synergy effects with other PT providers
• Provision of high quality, fit-for-purpose PT samples in matrices, and at concentration levels, adapted to WFD requirements
• PT schemes for 'difficult' and infrequently performed analyses, through member co-operation and regular scientific input from external advisors.

A programme of the Network activities for 2009 has been produced, describing the single PT activities of the network members and the collaborative PT activities of WFD-PT consortia. The individual activities of the members, including a list of the relevant PTs (matrix, parameters and concentration levels) will be established, and made available by the members themselves and on a dedicated website. LGC Standards PT has a full programme of WFD-PT samples covering 38 of the analytes on the priority substances list.

LGC Standards PT has agreed, in principle, to take part in the three collaborative PT schemes that have been proposed for 2009: Relevant pesticides from the 'priority substances' list, Volatile (halogenated) organic compounds (VOCs) and Tributyltin.

SUPS – LGC Standards collaborates with ICUMSA

LGC Standards, Proficiency Testing recently attended the 26th Session Meeting of ICUMSA (International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis) which took place from 1 to 3 October 2008, at the Delray Beach, Florida, USA.

ICUMSA is a world-wide body concerned solely with analytical methods for the sugar industry, although in addition to use in that industry, ICUMSA methods are recognised by authorities such as the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the OIML, the EU, and the US Food Chemicals Codex. ICUMSA brings together the activities of the National Committees for Sugar Analysis in more than thirty member countries worldwide.

As part of the commitment to providing proficiency testing to the food industry and in collaboration with ICUMSA, LGC Standards has recently re-launched the Sugar Proficiency Scheme (SUPS). Originally developed as a straightforward scheme for bottlers of carbonated soft drinks, the range of samples and analytes has been significantly expanded for 2009 to 5 different samples, including one for microbiological parameters, and over 20 different analytes. Also included for the coming year is a trial sample for the determination of a range of common analytes in molasses.

A presentation of the performance of participants in the current format of the SUPS scheme and the details of the re-launched scheme was made to the delegates, by Matthew Whetton, as part of the ICUMSA Session Meeting. The presentation, and accompanying poster, also focussed on the benefits that the ICUMSA members could gain from participation in proficiency testing and the range of products and services offered by LGC Standards.

Spreading the word of Proficiency Testing in Sweden and Latvia

In October, Brian Brookman and Alexandra Eden of LGC Standards Proficiency Testing supported Larisa Muraveva of LGC Standards, Sweden Proficiency Testing at seminars in Stockholm and Riga.

The aim was to provide basic training and introduce LGC Standards Proficiency Testing. Delegates from Sweden, Finland, Latvia and Estonia were invited from a range of industries. Many of the participants were already familiar with LGC Standards' products but less familiar with the proficiency testing schemes provided. The seminars covered a number of topics including how to select an appropriate PT Scheme, PT statistics and PT services available from LGC Standards. Feedback was positive, with interest from a number of participants for Larisa to follow up. There were also some ideas generated for new proficiency tests.

All PT roads lead to Rome 6th International PT Workshop

At the beginning of October, Eurachem held its sixth International PT Workshop in Rome. For three days ‘the eternal city’ became the global centre for proficiency testing as 242 delegates, from 47 different countries, met to discuss current and future directions for PT in analytical chemistry, microbiology and laboratory medicine. The event consisted of training sessions, invited presentations, working group discussions and poster presentations.

Key issues discussed covered:

• Frequency of PT/EQA and monitoring performance over time
• Developments in PT/EQA within the EU
• PT/EQA in developing countries
• PT/EQA in microbiology
• PT/EQA in forensic science
• The new standard for PT/EQA: ISO/IEC 17043
• End-user perspective of PT/EQA
• Quality of test items used in PT/EQA

Given such an important event for proficiency testing, LGC Standards had a strong presence at the workshop, particularly from the PT Group in Bury.

Three posters were accepted,

• An investigation into Escherichia coli methodology using proficiency testing scheme data
• Can proficiency testing actually improve laboratory performance over time?
• Analytical performance is improved by regular participation in proficiency testing: An analysis of data from the Aquacheck proficiency testing scheme

Overall the workshop was a great success with very good feedback from the participants. We now start to prepare for the next Eurachem PT workshop in 2011.

Environmental PT Day

This year's event was held at Scarman House at Warwick University and was attended by over 40 participants from the environmental PT schemes; Aquacheck, CONTEST and QWAS.

In the past, this event has proved very successful as it enables participants to learn more about the schemes already available and future developments in new areas of environmental testing, and this year's meeting was no different. In addition to providing information about the schemes, the environment day also provides a forum for staff from participant laboratories to interact with the PT staff, often providing valuable feedback and ideas for development.

The day started with scheme reviews for all three environmental schemes Followed by the introduction of the newest environmental scheme, STACKS, aimed at laboratories performing analysis on stack emissions. Debbie Hudson from UKAS delivered a presentation on ‘The role of PT in environmental laboratories’ from an accreditation body's perspective.

During lunch participants were provided with the opportunity to speak to the Bury staff, about issues arising in their laboratories, whilst the afternoon consisted of presentations on MCerts (the Environment Agency's monitoring certification scheme) From the laboratory and the Environment Agency's point of view as well as a discussion on whether or not PT for endocrine disruptors is required.

The event proved successful with participants and the PT staff coming away with lots of new ideas!

Posted On: 19 Jan 2009

LGC Standards are pleased to be associated with this international workshop on proficiency testing, an event which has proved very productive as a forum where the latest issues and advances in proficiency testing can be openly and vigorously discussed. If there is anything you don't know about proficiency testing then this is the place to find out. If it is not covered in the programme, there are plenty of networking opportunities to ask the experts from PT providers around the world.

• Eurachem Programme
• Eurachem Registration Form
• Eurachem Website

Posted On: 10 Jul 2008

A new website has been developed to replace the previous VAM and MfB websites, this is the UK National Measurement System (NMS) Chemical and Biological Metrology website - www.nmschembio.org.uk. This website provides public access to the outputs of the NMS Chemical and Biological Metrology programme and is managed by LGC Limited under contract with the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills (DIUS).
The NMS is responsible for stimulating good measurement practice and enabling business to make accurate and traceable measurements.

Highlights of this website include:

• A comprehensive publications section with many new peer reviewed papers, books and guides, and hundreds of downloadable reports, posters and best practice guides;
• A Key topics section covering mass spectrometry and quality assurance topics such as method validation and measurement uncertainty;
• Training and education resources for schools, universities and laboratories;
• Events listing of relevant upcoming training courses and conferences worldwide;
• A helpdesk service which provides expert advice on measurement topics;
• A Projects section detailing work being carried out under the NMS Chemical and Biological programme.

This website also enables UK business to access expert advice and information to help diagnose and solve measurement-related problems and allows those involved with chemical and biochemical measurements to improve the quality, reliability and comparability of measurements. Posted On: 14 Apr 2008

The SUPS scheme is being run in collaboration with ICUMSA (International Commission for Uniform Methods of Sugar Analysis) a world-wide body which brings together the activities of the National Committees for Sugar Analysis in more than thirty member countries. ICUMSA is the only international organisation concerned solely with analytical methods for the sugar industry. In addition to use by that industry, ICUMSA methods are recognised by authorities such as the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the OIML, the EU, and the US Food Chemicals Codex. Attachment Posted On: 13 Feb 2008

A new electronic reporting system (ERS) for the forthcoming scheme year!

At LGC Standards Proficiency Testing we continually strive to fulfill the needs of our customers. We are therefore delighted to announce the launch of our new Electronic Reporting System (ERS). This has been specifically designed to replace paper documentation in order to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the reports.

The major benefits of ERS include:

• Fast and simple to use
• Reduces transcription errors
• No paperwork, no jammed faxes, no lost reports
• Submit results 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Reports emailed directly to your inbox or to download from our website
• Reports in days of round closing not weeks
• Saves you time, helps keep you in control

Following the successful trials that took place in rounds 137 and 139 of QWAS, we are pleased to announce that the ERS will be ‘going live’ for all QMS, QWAS, QGS and QMIS rounds taking place this year. The ERS will be the primary way of reporting results for all of these schemes. We will not be supplying Analysis Request Forms automatically this year and these should only be requested if you cannot gain access to or you have problems with the ERS.

The first distribution will be QMS and this is due to be despatched Monday 21st January 2008.

We understand that changing the way results are submitted will raise a number of questions, therefore we have produced a document that explains how the ERS works. The document can be downloaded by clicking here.

Attachment Posted On: 08 Jan 2008

Customers who are participating in the December distribution 140 for QMS (Quality In Microbiology Scheme) will have until 4th Jan 2008 to submit results. Posted On: 21 Dec 2007

LGC Standards Proficiency Testing is pleased to announce its 1st Environmental Proficiency Testing Participant Day, to be held on Thursday 15th November 2007.

We invite you to join us in reviewing our current environmental PT schemes (Aquacheck, CONTEST and QWAS) enabling you to provide feedback to assist in the future development of these schemes and help ensure they continue to meet your needs. Such reviews are important to enable us to build on our strengths and enhance our services for the future. To complement the scheme reviews we are pleased to welcome three guest speakers:

• Malcolm Morgan (DWI) - the need for competent analyst guidelines
• Professor Michael Ramsey (University of Sussex) - the impact of field sampling on the quality of environmental measurements
• Jeff Ruddle (UKAS) - accreditation of sampling activities and accredited schemes for personnel certification

Attachment Posted On: 19 Sep 2007

Call for participants to join new Particle Analysis and Characterisation Quality Scheme (PACQS) for quality improvements.

LGC Standards, a division of LGC and a global leader in proficiency testing services to the food, pharmaceutical, beverages, and environmental sectors, is pleased to announce the launch of its new proficiency testing scheme - PACQS - or Particle Analysis and Characterisation Quality Scheme for users of laser diffraction technology.

PACQS is designed to give invaluable feedback on the accuracy of particle sizing measurements, which are critical to product quality in a wide range of industries, from pharmaceuticals and paints to cosmetics and ceramics. It is a powerful training tool for laboratory and production personnel carrying out the tests who, if they wish, can seek advice from the major instrument manufacturers that contribute to the independent advisory group.

Elizabeth Jordain, LGC Standards and head of its PT business, said: "PACQS is our evolution of the Laser Diffraction Proficiency Testing Scheme (LDPTS) and it ensures the availability of regular proficiency testing in this important area of quality assurance. LGC Standards has changed the name from LDPTS to PACQS, which is more generic and would enable other types of particle testing to be added to the scheme as it develops.

"The scheme will continue to operate in line with the LDPTS protocol and LGC´s bespoke software ´PT Manager´ will enable efficient and timely processing of the results and reporting via the internet, a key factor of the scheme’s value as a powerful training tool for users of particle sizing instrumentation. LGC Standards will continue to grow the scheme, potentially increasing its scale and number of participants, under the new name of PACQS, to be of value to its members as well as the worldwide community of particle analysts."

Participating in PACQS allows results to be compared with industry colleagues in complete confidence. It may also be used in method and instrument evaluation and it can demonstrate reliability of analytical performance to customers and regulators.

The scheme runs from September to August with a quarterly distribution of material to laboratories. Laboratories can choose in which distributions to participate and a discount is available to those taking all four rounds. Results are reported at the end of each round within 15 working days. For further information please contact LGC Standards customer services department for the PT Group via e-mail customerservices@lgcpt.com or telephone +44 (0)161 762 2500 or fax +44 (0)161 762 2501.

LGC Standards is a new division of LGC dedicated to those products and services specifically able to champion measurement and quality control within the laboratory. It supplies reference materials (also as LGC Promochem), pharmaceutical impurity reference standards, proficiency testing and training in analytical quality. LGC Standards is headquartered in Teddington Middlesex, UK. LGC Standards has laboratories in Luckenwalde (Germany) and Bangalore (India). Its centre for excellence in proficiency testing is located in Bury (Greater Manchester). LGC Standards also has offices in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain and Sweden and representatives in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Romania and the US.

Posted On: 10 Sep 2007

For all the customers who missed the trial sample QM421 in April or who wish to test it again we are pleased to announce that a second sample will be available on 13th November 2007 for the QWAS distribution at the same trial price. The addition of this sample to the schedule is another step in our strategy to continually review the needs of our customers and meet them when ever possible. Please hurry and take advantage of this opportunity and order your samples today by contacting our customer services department via e-mail customerservices@lgcpt.com telephone +44 (0) 161 762 2500 or fax +44 (0) 161 762 2501.
We look forward to receiving your order. Posted On: 02 Jul 2007

Our user meetings offer participants in Aquacheck the ideal opportunity to keep up-to-date on the scheme, learn about important legislative changes which could affect laboratories operating in the environmental sector, and to network with fellow users.

The meeting, organised jointly by LGC PT Group and Aqua Consult Ingenieros S.L., proved to be a very successful, informative and enjoyable day for all involved.

Posted On: 02 Jul 2007

The new trial sample QM421 for S.aureus in bathing water has been a tremendous success on the Quality in Water Analysis Scheme (QWAS) with more than 80 customers taking part worldwide.

Demand was so high we are considering having a second sample for the QWAS distribution on 25th September this year. If you are interested in taking this sample please hurry and take advantage of this opportunity by sending an e-mail TODAY registering your interest to abdul.sheikh@lgcpt.com - if there is sufficient demand we will provide the second round. Posted On: 11 May 2007

This paper presents the results of a review of Aquacheck proficiency test (PT) results for various chemical determinands in water over recent decades and uses this to make observations on developments in laboratory performance. See attachment for more. Attachment Posted On: 03 May 2007