e-Mag: Top three challenges in external accreditation audits

In this free magazine for analytical industry professionals, we address the three biggest challenges that labs encounter during the external audit process: traceability, measurement uncertainty and matrix effects…

Analytical service laboratories work under a lot of pressure. Being able to submit results of the highest quality for various matrices is an important pre-requisite for potential customers. However, customers are often not able to evaluate the quality of a result and can only rely on external accreditation according to ISO 17025 to assess the competence of a laboratory. Their most important criteria for choosing a certain lab are usually turnaround time and price. In contrast to these market pressures, the national accreditation body asks for elaborate documentation, validations for all matrices, control samples, full traceability, participation in international ring trials and regular trainings for all lab employees – all factors that add costs and reduce speed in the lab. In this highly competitive environment it is crucial to find ways to fulfill contradicting requirements most efficiently.

In this inaugural issue of Spot On, our magazine for analytical industry professionals, we address the three biggest challenges that labs encounter during the external audit process: traceability, measurement uncertainty and matrix effects. Certified reference materials with a certificate of analysis can go a long way towards fulfilling the first point. Several different methods are available to determine the second. Regarding the third point, 13C-labeled standards can fully correct matrix effects in LC-MS/MS analysis. Finally, to further explore traceability we walk through the full production process from the initial mold culture to the delivery of a liquid mycotoxin calibrant to clients.