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Information for Laboratories
National Residue Survey residue monitoring
National Association of Testing Authorities accreditation
Laboratory procurement process
Laboratory selection
Laboratory performance evaluation
Who can take part in proficiency tests?
What does proficiency testing cost?
Role of the laboratory performance evaluation committee
Testing and reporting of results
Ninth term contract laboratories
Tenth term contract laboratories
Definitions
Further information
National Residue Survey residue monitoring
The National Residue Survey (NRS) carries out random residue monitoring of Australian primary produce. To do this, it draws on contracted services of Australian, New Zealand and overseas laboratories with demonstrated capabilities in the chemical residue analyses, required by both overseas and domestic markets as quality assurance.
NRS laboratory staff are qualified chemists who maintain their professional standing by keeping abreast of relevant matters in the domain of analytical chemistry, by attendance at conferences, the presentation of scientific papers at such conferences, and by publishing scientific articles concerning residue testing.
National Association of Testing Authorities accreditation
NRS is accredited by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) as a proficiency testing provider, but is not itself a laboratory accreditation agency. NRS recognises and supports the role of NATA as the principal agent of laboratory accreditation, and incorporates in its laboratory evaluation the relevant nationally and internationally defined standards.
Proficiency Testing Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of NATA, is represented on the NRS Laboratory Performance Evaluation (LPE) Committee and plays an important role in the conduct of the NRS proficiency testing projects. NRS does not require a laboratory to hold (or be seeking) NATA accreditation, either in a particular test or in chemical residue analysis generally, as a precondition of participation in NRS proficiency tests. However, NATA accreditation (or equivalent) is required by any laboratory seeking to establish a contract with NRS. Where appropriate, NRS proficiency test results obtained by the laboratory may assist in the documentation of its application for accreditation. NATA is given information obtained from NRS proficiency testing projects for checking on poor performance from a NATA-accredited laboratory.
In the case of overseas laboratories, NRS recognises accreditation by bodies that are signatories to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation arrangement.
Laboratory procurement process
In response to Australia’s free trade agreements with major trading partners, there has been a change to the Australian Government procurement process. This has implications for laboratories wishing to tender for NRS contracts.
Under the Australian Government’s new Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines, NRS is no longer able to contact laboratories directly to give notice of forthcoming tenders or provide advice about specific tender requirements. However, all information relating to NRS tenders can now be accessed through the AusTender website.
Laboratory selection
Laboratories for NRS work are selected by a two-stage process involving an initial assessment of eligibility to tender, based on meeting minimum performance levels in NRS proficiency tests. If a laboratory proves to be eligible, an assessment is made of the value for money that the tender represents. The essential elements of the selection process are:
- quality assessment of laboratory performance in the pre-requisite NRS proficiency testing process
- quality assessment of laboratory management, staffing and facilities
- checking that the laboratory has attained NATA or equivalent accreditation for the relevant test(s)
- assessment of laboratory quality assurance and control systems
- assessment of the appropriateness of analytical methods, equipment, and previous performance (where applicable), and
- assessment of value for money.
NRS requirements for satisfactory laboratory performance include achievement of the NRS level of reporting (LOR) specified for each chemical–commodity combination. Any private, Australian federal, state or territory government laboratory may participate in NRS proficiency testing and tendering. Overseas laboratories are also invited to participate, where location and circumstances permit.
Laboratory performance evaluation
NRS laboratory performance evaluation activities (generally based on proficiency testing) seek to make objective evaluations of laboratory competency and are designed to maintain an up-to-date and continuing assessment of the proficiency of laboratories analysing samples for NRS, or seeking to offer such services in the future.
The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service recognises the suitability of laboratories for export testing of produce based on such demonstrated competency. Laboratory performance evaluation also helps to ensure the quality of the analytical testing service delivered to participating industries.
Who can take part in proficiency tests?
NRS proficiency testing is open to any Australian laboratory currently testing chemical–commodity combinations included in the NRS project program. Overseas laboratories may participate where circumstances permit.
What does proficiency testing cost?
NRS charges participating laboratories a registration fee (currently $330 including GST) for each test undertaken. This fee covers participation in all tests for the rounds leading up to the next NRS tenders, and the lodgement fee for a tender at that time. In the case of overseas laboratories, additional charges may apply.
Role of the laboratory performance evaluation committee
The primary role of the laboratory performance evaluation (LPE) committee is to examine and review analytical results and statistical data, as well as other relevant records to clarify and rank laboratory performance. Members of the LPE committee may also provide feedback on the planning and implementation of proficiency tests and random audits of individual test results.
Ninth term contract laboratories
The ninth term contracts run from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2011. The table below shows the contracted laboratories and the projects they are involved in.
Meat and Egg Programs
|
NRS Program |
Program Name |
Contract Laboratory |
|---|---|---|
|
Program 1 |
Antimicrobials in kidney, poultry liver and eggs | PIRVic QDPI&F |
|
Program 3 |
Phenicols in muscle |
Symbio Alliance |
|
Program 4 |
Nitrofurans in eggs |
AsureQuality |
|
Program 5A |
Nitroimidazoles in muscle | AsureQuality |
|
Program 5B |
Olaquindox and carbadox in liver |
no contract awarded |
|
Program 6 |
Stilbenes, zeranol and trenbolone in liver & faeces |
NMI (NSW) |
|
Program 7 |
Beta Agonists in liver |
AsureQuality |
|
Program 8 |
Pesticides in fat |
Symbio Alliance |
|
Program 8p |
Herbicides in fat |
Symbio Alliance |
|
Program 10 |
Cyromazine and dicyclanil in kidney |
NMI (NSW) |
|
Program 12 |
Macrocyclic lactones & spinosad in fat |
NMI (WA) |
|
Program 13 |
Closantel in liver |
NMI (Vic) |
|
Program 14 |
Imidazothiazoles in liver |
Symbio Alliance |
|
Program 15 |
Triclabendazole in liver |
NMI (WA) |
|
Program 16 |
Metals screen in liver |
Ecowise |
|
Program 20 |
Androgenic substances in urine |
NMI (NSW) |
|
Program 23 |
Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs in liver |
Symbio Alliance |
|
Program 27 |
Anticoccidials in liver & eggs |
Symbio Alliance |
|
Program 28 |
Benzoyl ureas in fat |
NSW DPI |
Grain and Horticulture Programs
|
NRS Program |
Program Name |
Contract Laboratory |
|---|---|---|
|
Grains |
|
|
|
Program 42 |
Phosphine in grains |
AFT |
|
Program 46 |
Metals in grains |
Symbio Alliance |
|
Program 49 |
Multi-residues in cereal grains, pulses, oilseeds, flour & bran |
Symbio Alliance |
| Program 49.1 | Dithiocarbamates in grain |
Symbio Alliance |
| Program 49m | Mycotoxins in grain |
Symbio Alliance |
|
Horticulture |
|
|
|
Program 109 |
Multi-residues in macadamia nuts |
Agrisearch Analytical |
|
Program 126 |
Metals in onions |
Symbio Alliance |
|
Program 129 |
Multi-residues in onions |
Agrisearch Analytical |
|
Program 149 |
Multi-residues in apples and pears |
AFT |
Honey Programs
|
NRS Program |
Program Name |
Contract Laboratory |
|---|---|---|
|
Program 201 |
Antimicrobials in honey |
QDPI&F |
|
Program 203 |
Chloramphenicol in honey |
no contract awarded |
|
Program 204 |
Nitrofurans in honey |
AsureQuality |
|
Program 206 |
Metals in honey |
no contract awarded |
| Program 209 | Paradichlorobenzene in honey | QDPI&F |
Testing and reporting of results
For the information of laboratories wishing to undertake contract work, NRS specifies and publishes limit of reporting (LOR) and indicative decision level (IDL) values for each chemical/commodity combination required for NRS tests. These values are published in the NRS Proficiency Test Handbook (available from NRS on request).
Laboratory method LORs would generally be expected to be less than or equal to the NRS specified values. A contract laboratory must report quantitative results for analytes detected above the laboratory’s method LOR, irrespective of the level at which the NRS LOR has been set. Detections of an analyte above the laboratory’s method LOD, but less than the laboratory’s method LOR must also be reported, either as a trace or a quantitative value.
All analytes reported at or above the laboratory’s method LOD must have been identified in a manner consistent with the criteria outlined in the European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC (available from NRS on request).
Please note the definitions for LOR, IDL and LOD that follow.
Definitions
LOR (for laboratory purposes)
The limit of quantification/reporting (LOQ/LOR) is the lowest concentration of an analyte at which positive identification and quantification can be achieved with reasonable and/or previously determined confidence in a defined matrix using a specific analytical method.
LOR (for NRS purposes)
The limit of reporting specified in public NRS documents is a limit set by NRS above which NRS will publish quantitative results of residues detected in a particular commodity, or above which NRS contract laboratories are expected to reliably quantify and report analytical results. Laboratory method LOD and LOQ/LOR as defined above are generally expected to be less than or equal to the NRS specified values.
Limit of detection (for laboratory purposes)
The limit of detection (LOD) is the lowest concentration of an analyte at which positive identification can be achieved with reasonable and/or previously determined confidence in a defined matrix using a specific analytical method.
Limit of detection (for NRS purposes)
Limit of detection (LOD) values, if specified by NRS in public documents for analyte/matrix combinations, should be taken as maximum values and are provided by NRS to define the upper limit with respect to detection acceptable to NRS. Laboratory method LODs would generally be expected to be equal to, or less than, the NRS specified values.
Indicative decision limit (for NRS purposes)
Indicative decision limit specified by NRS in public documents (eg the Proficiency Testing Handbook) are provided to give an indication only of levels at which a residue may render the sampled product liable to further action by the laboratory and/or NRS.
Outlook
A request for expressions of interest for the Tenth Term contract will be posted on the AusTender website late 2010.
Further information
Livestock, poultry, fish, honey industry matters
Contact: Jim Derrick Phone: (02) 6272 4019
Grains & horticulture industry matters
Contact: Kevin Healy Phone: (02) 6272 3436
Proficiency testing, laboratory contracts
Contact: Wolfgang Korth Phone: (02) 6272 4771
Fax: (02) 6272 4023