LGC Standards Proficiency Testing Technical Changes January Start Schemes 2016

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1 FOOD and FEED PT Schemes AFPS (Animal Feeds) Scheme 2016 Two new microbiological samples for 2016: Sample 11 for the detection of Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria species Sample 12 for the detection of E.coli O157 QCS (Quality in Chocolate) Scheme 2016 New trial sample 718: Toxic metals (As, Cd, Pb) in cacao powder available in round CT241 May QDCS (Quality in Dairy Chemistry) Scheme 2016 There have been no technical changes for the Due to the large number of samples and their nature, dispatch might need up to two days. Please note that samples 60 and 61 are not currently within the scope of LGC Standards' accreditation. QFCS (Quality in Food Chemistry) Scheme 2016 Sample 771: The vitamin analytes, previously part of sample 770, have been moved to a separate sample, available in two rounds (FC242 June and FC248 December) New trial sample 787: Nitrate analysis in green leaf products is available in round FC240 April New trial sample 788: Acrylamide in snacks available in round FC240 April New trial sample 789: Toxic metals (As, Cd, Pb) in brown rice available in round FC240 April We have increased the number of rounds to 6. In conjunction with our QMAS Meat and Fish scheme, we are now offering food chemistry samples every month. We aim to expand our food chemistry offering further throughout 2016 with the introduction of additional test materials, and we will contact you further as soon as more information is available. QGS (Quality in Gelatine) Scheme 2016 Two new trial samples for the 2016: 605 for the enumeration of mesophilic anaerobic spores 606 for physicochemical testing of gelatine. Participants can analyse the sample for ash, gel strength, isoelectric point, moisture, ph and viscosity. Both samples are available in both rounds, GL241 (May) and GL246 (October). Please note that sample 606 is not currently within the scope of our accreditation Page 1 of 6

2 QMAS (Quality in Meat and Fish Analysis) Scheme 2016 New trial sample, 753, in round MT239 (March) for the detection of Aeromonas species. Number of rounds available for sample 748 (Histamine; Total volatile nitrogen; Trimethylamine) increased to 3 due to high demand from participants. Rounds for samples 741 (trace elements in shellfish) and 742 (trace elements in fish) alternated, to spread the analysis for labs who take all four available rounds. Sample 751 (fish authenticity - confirmation of cod in fish) has been discontinued. If you participated in this sample you may wish to order sample 752, for fish species identification, which is available in round MT245 (September). Increased the number of samples provided in 752 to 4 x 20g samples enabling a wider range of species to be included. Increased the number of Chemistry rounds in the QMAS scheme to 6. When combined with our QFCS Food Chemistry scheme, food chemistry samples are now available every month. We aim to expand our meat chemistry offering further throughout 2016 with the introduction of additional test materials, and we will contact you further as soon as more information is available. QMS (Quality in Microbiology) Scheme 2016 Incorporated samples previously available in the QMIS (Microbiology Investigation Competency Assessment) PT Scheme into QMS as follows: Sample 33: Identification of unknown organism (non-pathogen). A routine organism for identification. Participants can report up to 10 basic tests, such as gram stain, basic biochemical tests, cell morphology, motility, and also a final identification. All tests will be assessed as well as the final identification. No scenario is given, as the choice of method for performing the final identification must be based upon the results achieved from the basic tests carried out. Sample 34: Salmonella identification. A strain of Salmonella will be provided for culture and serological testing. Sample 35: Counting of colonies and calculation of number of microorganisms paper exercise. A photograph and document will be provided for two checks to be carried out. The first is enumeration of specific organisms from an identical image of a culture plate provided to all participants. This will test basic colony identification and counting techniques. The second is a simple statement of the number of colonies isolated on a given dilution plate, with the original weight of sample; participants must calculate the level of the stated organism in the original sample. Whilst this sounds very easy, our experience is that calculation error is one of the most common reasons for unsatisfactory performance in a PT scheme. ENVIRONMENTAL and WATER PT Schemes HYGIENE (Environmental Hygiene Monitoring) Scheme 2016 Addition of two new TRIAL samples for the 2016 scheme year, both in round HY239 March: Sample 4 Hygiene testing using dipslides for Total viable count and Coliforms enumeration Sample 5 Surface testing for ATP Page 2 of 6

3 QWAS (Quality in Water Analysis) Scheme 2016 Incorporation of samples previously available in the QMIS (Microbiology Investigation Competency Assessment) PT Scheme into QWAS as follows: Sample 426: Identification of unknown organism (non-pathogen). A routine organism for identification. Participants can report up to 10 basic tests, such as gram stain, basic biochemical tests, cell morphology, motility, and also a final identification. All tests will be assessed as well as the final identification. No scenario is given, as the choice of method for performing the final identification must be based upon the results achieved from the basic tests carried out. Sample 427: Counting of colonies and calculation of number of microorganisms paper exercise. A photograph and document will be provided for two checks to be carried out. The first is enumeration of specific organisms from an identical image of a culture plate provided to all participants. This will test basic colony identification and counting techniques. The second is a simple statement of the number of colonies isolated on a given dilution plate, with the original weight of sample; participants must calculate the level of the stated organism in the original sample. Whilst this sounds very easy, our experience is that calculation error is one of the most common reasons for unsatisfactory performance in a PT scheme. BEVERAGE PT Schemes BAPS (Brewing Analytes) Scheme 2016 We continue to offer sample 7, introduced as a trial in 2016, in four rounds during This sample is for the chemical analysis for alcohol free/low alcohol beer. Participant numbers for sample 6, chemical analysis of brewing liquor and effluent simulant solution, are such that it is no longer sustainable within the scheme. This sample has therefore been removed for DAPS (Alcoholic Drinks) Scheme 2016 A new sample for Esters, sample B5, (run as a trial in October 2015) has been added to the scheme with two rounds available in 2016; DP085 April and DP087 October. Sample B1, rounddp085 will contain Cask extractives for testing MAPS (Malt Analytes) Scheme 2016 Sample 4, the specialised malt sample, has been separated for clarity into two samples: 4A for black malt and 4B for crystal malt. Page 3 of 6

4 QBS (Quality in Beverages) Scheme 2016 Several changes have been made to the QBS scheme for 2016: We have introduced a new sample, 506, a microbiology filtration test for Thermophilic Acidophilic Bacteria in round BV241 May. Participant numbers for analytes Headspace in sample 515 and Colour in sample 517A are such that they are no longer sustainable within the scheme. They have therefore been removed for The analyte Patulin in sample QBS 520 should be reported corrected for recovery. Please note that samples 521 and 522 are not currently included in our scope of accreditation. SUPS (Sugar) Scheme 2016 Introduced the new sample 10, for the analysis of moisture in cane or beet sugar. This sample has been introduced in two rounds, PC162 January and PC168 July. Aaddition of two new analytes to sample 2, cadmium and mercury. We have added sulfated ash to sample 5. Please note that samples 9 and 10 are not currently within the scope of our accreditation. CLINICAL PT Schemes TDM (Therapeutic Drugs Monitoring ) Scheme 2016 Introduced the new sample PS31, for the analysis of Chlorpromazine and Norchlorpromazine. Please note that samples AE3, AE4, NC01 and PS31 are not currently within the scope of our accreditation. ASI Immunosuppressives PT Scheme 2016 [operated by ASI Ltd., London, UK.] There have been no technical changes for CONSUMER SAFETY PT Schemes NiMS (Nickel Migration) Scheme 2016 There have been no technical changes for Page 4 of 6

5 TOYTEST (Toy Safety) Scheme 2016 Participant numbers for sample 4, EN71 Part 7, are such that it is no longer sustainable within the scheme. It has therefore been removed for Please note that samples 14 and 15 are not currently within the scope of our accreditation. FORENSIC PT Schemes FIRMS (Forensic Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry) Scheme 2016 The test materials scheduled for 2016 are flour, caffeine, PET and wax. These have been chosen in consultation with the advisory group and FIRMS Network to provide representative samples for analysis. We are pleased to inform you that this scheme has now been added to our scope of our accreditation. INDUSTRIAL PT Schemes OIL (Oils and Fuels Analysis) PT Scheme 2016 We continue to provide samples 2 (#2 Diesel Fuel), 4 (Crude Oil), 5 (Engine Oil Lubricants) and 6 (Simulated In Service Engine Oil) in 3 rounds in We have added new metals (Ag, Al, Cd, Mn, Sb, Ti and V) to sample 6. Please note that this scheme is not currently included in our scope of accreditation. OTHER PRODUCTS Dairy Calibration Samples 2016 Technical Changes There are no technical changes to the materials for Please note that Dairy Calibration samples are not a proficiency testing scheme and are therefore not within our scope of accreditation. They are, however, manufactured according to our ISO 9001 certification (certificate number FS 27613). easi-tab TM Technical Changes There are no technical changes to the materials for Page 5 of 6

6 Please note that easi-tab TM range of quantitative microbial Reference Materials are not a proficiency testing scheme and are therefore not within our scope of accreditation. QMIS (Microbiology Investigation Competency Assessment) Scheme 2016 The Scheme has been discontinued in 2016 and its samples have been integrated into QMS (samples 33, 34, and 35) and QWAS (samples 426 and 427). Page 6 of 6