07/28/2014
Recent proficiency test proves competence of laboratories in pesticide analysis
National Reference Laboratories from the European Union Member States and a similar number of non-EU laboratories participated in the study.
Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 sets maximum residue levels for pesticides in food and feed of plant and animal origin for which EU Member States need to check the compliance of products on the market. Proficiency tests (PTs) are important to assess the measurement capacity of laboratories. The JRC-IRMM co-operated with the EU reference laboratory for pesticide analysis in the organisation of a PT dedicated to the analysis of 20 pesticides in grapes.
This specific PT on pesticides was run in 2013 with the participation of more than 80 laboratories worldwide, most of them dealing with official food control for which accreditation and thereby participation in PTs is required. The exercise was therefore also announced to accreditation bodies in Europe, in the Asia-Pacific region and in the USA.
All participating laboratories were able to analyse the 20 pesticides in grapes with satisfactory results demonstrating their competence. This ensures that consumers can rely on pesticide residue control, not only within the EU but also in third countries which may export food and feed products to the EU.
» Interlaboratory Comparison Report
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre