Submission of Method Validation Results

Method validation is performed to evaluate analytical procedures as to whether they can meet the specified criteria of

  • mean recovery,
  • repeatability,
  • and/or reproducibility.
    • Method validation usually entails the performance of repetitive recovery experiments of spiked residues at various concentration levels, both at an intra- and interlaboratory level. With intralaboratory validation being compulsory for accreditation purposes, numerous validation experiments are being performed by various laboratories. A systematic collection of this great amount of data produced by the various laboratories in intralaboratory validation experiments would be of high analytical interest, allowing to generate reproducibility data for a great number of analyte-commodity combinations, which will be of great use in assessing the analytical uncertainty and the performance of methods.

     

    The database was developed to allow the storage of data generated within the aim of any method validation experiments in various laboratories. All important information regarding the method employed including possible variations of it are stored as well in order to enhance comparability and to allow the drawing of conclusions.

    Authorized users can access this method validation data on-line and use it to find out which method is applicable for a certain pesticide/commodity combination and furthermore if the method is applicable using the instrumentation available in the laboratory. Several filtering and aggregation options offer the possibility to selectively extract and compare the validation data.

    The quality and practical use of such a data collection strongly relies on the data sent by the users. The whole process involving data-submission, data-processing, data-input into the database and finally on-line data-access by the authorized users is shown in the flowchart below.

    What kind of data and information is collected?
    For the systematic collection of the data describing the method validation experiments the following parameters are needed: names of pesticides, commodities, spiking levels, recovery results in %, methods of analysis and other information (modifications of the analytical method, instrumentation used etc.).

    To standardize data submission and thus facilitate data processing, we developed a Microsoft Excel file, which can be downloaded here: Data Submission File. Data submitted in this format can easily be imported into the database.

    For more information please contact the administrator.