QS laboratory performance assessment

German laboratories are ahead in the international
comparison
It is the season for salad vegetables. In the current laboratory performance
assessment, carried out by QS Qualität und Sicherheit GmbH, the task was to
detect residues in a sample of rocket. 75 laboratories in ten countries took
part in the assessment, including 49 QS recognized laboratories and 26 that
are still in the recognition process. The results show that the analysis of
individual substances was done much better than in the previous laboratory
assessment test. Overall, a number of laboratories still displayed considerable
weaknesses. The QS recognized laboratories were considerably better than the
competitors in the recognition process. A further discovery, German
laboratories were ahead in the international comparison.
Recognized laboratories convince with good performance
If we look closer at the analysis results for individual substances such as
Iprodion, we can see that currently more laboratories determined the value
correctly than in the previous test, which checked the presence of the very
same substance in lettuce. This shows, that the laboratories are constantly
working on optimizing their competences. The participants achieved
particularly good results in the analysis of the substances Carbofuran,
Metribuzin, Oxadixyl, Spiroxamin and Terbuthylazin. Almost 90% of the
laboratories quantified these substances, relevant to salad vegetable
production, perfectly.
Laboratories already recognized by QS were, again, able to stand out above
the applicant laboratories. 15 of the 18 laboratories that attained the best
results in the test and correctly determined and quantified all substances were
already authorized for QS. Overall, two thirds of the recognized laboratories
completed the assessment successfully. On the other hand, only one quarter
of the laboratories still in the recognition procedure were able to fulfill the
requirements.
The substance Lindane posed difficulties for the laboratories
Rocket is, from an analytical point of view, a very demanding subject and pose
a greater challenge for the participating laboratories. Some were not able to
live up to the challenge and failed. The biggest hurdle: The substance Lindane.
"In order to map the current situation, a practice-oriented sample design is
important. Thus, substances that can currently be found in products make up
the majority of the test. In addition, we take account of those that maysuddenly and unexpectedly occur, for example, in salad vegetables in the form of legacy
substances. Just like Lindane." explains Jens Schäfer who is responsible for laboratories at QS.
Not only the quantification of the substance caused the laboratories great difficulties. Lindane
was the substance that was most frequently missed and thus the main reason for the bad test
results. As a result of repeated unsuccessful participation a total of 13 laboratories lost their
QS recognition.
Good marks for institutes in Germany
The test results also showed that the level of quality of the German laboratories was, overall,
assessed to be very good. Thus, 80% of the already recognized German laboratories
completed the assessment with perfect results. Of the remaining foreign laboratories, little
more than half were convincing. The participants in neighboring European countries such as
The Netherlands and Belgium also displayed high levels of competence.