The Certification of Mass Fractions of Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2 in Compound Feedingstuff (low level), Certified Reference Material ERM®-BE375

This report describes the preparation of a compound feeding stuff (ERM-BE375) matrix reference material its characterisation for the aflatoxins B1, B2, G1 and G2 mass fractions. The preparation of the material, between bottle homogeneity and stability studies and the characterisation with a discussion of the results is described hereafter. Uncertainties were calculated in compliance with the ISO/IEC Guide 98-3:2008 (GUM) [2] and include contributions from possible hidden between bottle heterogeneity, long-term storage, the characterisation study and the contribution from the common calibrant.JRC.DG.D.2-Reference material

Development of Particulate Matter Certified Reference Materials (PM10 CRMs) - Final Report

The present report summarises the work carried out within the feasibility study devoted to the development of particulate matter certified reference materials (PM10 CRMs) at the RM Unit of IRMM. At present there is no suitable PM10 CRM certified for elements and/or PAHs. Therefore, this project was aimed at developing a CRM, which will play an active tool in the implementation of the Air Quality Framework Directive and its 1st and 4th Daughter Directives. In order to establish the target characteristics for the future PM10 CRMs, a meeting with experts in the field of air quality was organised. This report includes decisions made during that meeting.JRC.D.2-Reference material

The Certification of the Mass Fractions of Stilbenes in Bovine Urine - Certified Reference Materials ERM®-BB386 and ERM®-BB389

This report describes the preparation of the pork meat matrix reference materials ERM BB386 and ERM-BB389 and the certification of the content (mass fraction) of three stilbenes. The preparation and processing of the material, homogeneity and stability studies, and the characterisation are described hereafter and the results are discussed. Uncertainties were calculated in compliance with the ISO/IEC Guide 98-3 Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) [1] and include uncertainties due to possible heterogeneity, instability, and characterisation.JRC.D.2-Standards for Innovation and sustainable Developmen

CERTIFICATION REPORT: The certification of particle size distribution of corundum: ERM-FD069

This report describes the production of ERM-FD069, which is a corundum material certified for the particle size distribution as determined by laser diffraction (ISO 13320) and optical microscopy (ISO 13322). This material was produced following ISO Guide 34:2009 and is certified in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006. Two grades of commercial corundum were mixed, repeatedly riffled and packed into glass bottles. These bottles are equipped with glass slides to allow thorough homogenisation of the material inside the bottle. Between unit-homogeneity was quantified and stability during dispatch and storage was assessed in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006. The minimum sample intake was determined as the lowest amount that gave repeatable results in the characterisation study. The material was characterised by an interlaboratory comparison of laboratories of demonstrated competence and adhering to ISO/IEC 17025. Technically invalid results were removed but no outlier was eliminated on statistical grounds only. Uncertainties of the certified values were calculated in accordance with the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) and include uncertainties related to possible inhomogeneity, instability and characterisation. The material is intended for the quality control and assessment of method performance. As with any reference material, it/they can be used for establishing control charts or be used in validation studies. The CRMs is available in glass bottles containing at least 40 g of corundum powder. The minimum amount of sample to be used is 100 mg.JRC.F.6-Reference Material

CERTIFICATION REPORT: The certification of the cold filter plugging point (CFPP) and cloud point (CP) in automotive diesel fuel containing a volume fraction of 7 % biodiesel: ERM®-EF004

This report describes the production of ERM®-EF004, which is an automotive diesel fuel material containing a volume fraction of 7 % fatty acid methyl ester (biodiesel) certified for the cold filter plugging point and the cloud point. This material was produced following ISO Guide 34:2009 and is certified in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006. The material is an automotive diesel fuel containing a volume fraction of approximately 7 % biodiesel that is based on rapeseed oil fatty acid methyl ester with the addition of 1 g/kg antioxidant (butylhydroxytoluene). It was provided by a producer in Germany. The material was filled in amber glass ampoules. Between unit-homogeneity was quantified and stability during dispatch and storage were assessed in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006 [ ]. Within-unit homogeneity was not quantified as the minimum sample intake is defined by the required sample volume stipulated in the respective documentary standard and comprises almost the whole volume of the two ampoules of every unit. The material was characterised by an interlaboratory comparison of laboratories of demonstrated competence and adhering to ISO/IEC 17025:2005). Technically invalid results were removed but no outlier was eliminated on statistical grounds only. Uncertainties of the certified values were calculated in accordance with the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) [ ] and include uncertainties related to possible inhomogeneity, instability and characterisation. The material is intended for quality control and assessment of method performance. As with any reference material, it can be used for establishing control charts or validation studies. The certified reference material (CRM) is available in sets of two amber glass ampoules, each containing 27 mL of automotive diesel fuel material with a volume fraction of 7 % biodiesel closed under argon atmosphere.JRC.F.6-Reference Material

CERTIFICATION REPORT: The certification of the mass fraction of Solvent Yellow 124 in gas oil: ERM®-EF318k

This report describes the production of ERM®-EF318k, which is a matrix material certified for the mass fraction of Solvent Yellow 124, SY124. It is a remake of ERM-EF318, which is out of stock since 2016. This material was produced following ISO Guide 34:2009 and is certified in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006. The starting materials were commercially available B0 gas oil (B0: without biodiesel) and SY124 produced as a CRM (ERM-AC316a). The material was prepared gravimetrically using calibrated balances and the mass fraction was confirmed by independent measurements. The solution of SY124 in gas oil was ampouled under argon atmosphere and stored at 18 °C in the dark. Between-unit homogeneity was quantified and stability during dispatch and storage were assessed in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006 [2]. The minimum sample intake was established based on the data available in the certification report of ERM-EF318. The certified value was obtained from the gravimetric preparations, taking into account the purity of the base materials. The certified value was confirmed by HPLC-UV, i.e. Community Reference Method to analyse SY124, as an independent verification method (measurements were within the scope of accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2005). The uncertainty of the certified value was calculated in accordance with the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) [6] and includes uncertainties related to possible inhomogeneity, instability and characterisation. The material is intended for the quality control / assessment of method performance. As with any reference material, it can be used for establishing control charts or validation studies. The CRM is available in amber glass ampoules containing at least 4.2 mL of gas oil which were sealed under an atmosphere of argon. The minimum amount of sample to be used is 20 µL.JRC.F.6-Reference Material

Certification of the Mass Concentrations of Arsenic, Cadmium, Iron, Lead, Manganese, Mercury and Nickel in Groundwater - Certified Reference Material ERM®-CA615

This report presents the preparation and certification of groundwater reference material ERM-CA615. All steps required for the production of this water-matrix reference material are described in detail, from the sampling of natural groundwater to the characterisation exercise that lead to the final assignment of the certified values, following ISO Guide 34:2009 [1] and ISO Guide 35:2006 [2]. Homogeneity and stability of the water material were investigated with dedicated studies and the certification campaign for the material characterisation was based on an inter-comparison involving several experienced laboratories. IRMM organised and coordinated all phases of this project and carried out the evaluation of data. The certified values were calculated as the unweighted mean of the laboratory means of the accepted sets of results for each parameter, as seen below. Uncertainties were calculated in compliance with the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM, ISO/IEC Guide 98-3:2008) [3]. The stated expanded uncertainties include contributions from characterisation, homogeneity and long-term stability.JRC.DG.D.2-Reference material

The certification of the mass fractions of total arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid and the sum of arsenite and arsenate in rice: ERM-BC211

This report describes the production of ERM-BC211, a powdered rice material certified for the mass fractions of total arsenic, dimethylarsinic acid and the sum of arsenite and arsenate. The material has been produced following ISO Guide 34:2009. The starting material, which had been checked for its arsenic species was purchased and supplied by the University of Aberdeen. The rice was milled, sieved, dried, homogenised, filled in vials and sterilised. Between unit-inhomogeneity was quantified and stability during dispatch and storage was assessed in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006 . Within-unit inhomogeneity was quantified to determine the minimum sample intake. The material was characterised by an intercomparison among laboratories of demonstrated competence and adhering to ISO/IEC 17025. Technically invalid results were removed but no outlier was eliminated on statistical grounds only. Uncertainties of the certified values were estimated in compliance with ISO/IEC Guide 98-3, Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) and they include contributions from possible between-unit inhomogeneity, instability and characterisation. The material is intended for quality control and assessment of method performance. Moreover, it can be used for validation purposes and trueness determination. The CRM is available in glass bottles containing 10 g of dried rice powder closed under argon atmosphere. The minimum amount of sample to be used for total arsenic and dimethylarsinic acid is 50 mg. The minimum amount of sample to be used for the sum of arsenite and arsenate is 100 mg. The CRM has been accepted as European Reference Material (ERM) after peer evaluation by the partners of the European Reference Materials consortium.JRC.D.2-Standards for Innovation and sustainable Developmen

CERTIFICATION REPORT: The certification of selected chemical and physical properties in automotive diesel fuel containing a volume fraction of 7 % biodiesel: ERM®-EF003

This report describes the production of ERM®-EF003, which is an automotive diesel fuel material containing a volume fraction of 7 % fatty acid methyl ester (biodiesel) certified for the volume fraction of the fatty acid methyl ester content, the mass fraction of mono-aromatic hydrocarbon, di-aromatic hydrocarbon, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, and total aromatic hydrocarbon content, and density, kinematic viscosity, and lubricity. This material was produced following ISO Guide 34:2009 [ ] and is certified in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006 [2]. The material is an automotive diesel fuel containing a volume fraction of approximately 7 % biodiesel that is based on rapeseed oil fatty acid methyl ester with the addition of 1 g/kg antioxidant (butylhydroxytoluene). It was provided by a producer in Germany. The material was filled in amber glass ampoules. Between unit-homogeneity was quantified and stability during dispatch and storage were assessed in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006 [ ]. The minimum sample intake is the required sample volume stipulated in the respective documentary standard. The material was characterised by an interlaboratory comparison of laboratories of demonstrated competence and adhering to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 [ ]. Technically invalid results were removed but no outlier was eliminated on statistical grounds only. Uncertainties of the certified values were calculated in accordance with the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) [ ] and include uncertainties related to possible inhomogeneity, instability and characterisation. The material is intended for quality control and assessment of method performance. As with any reference material, it can be used for establishing control charts or validation studies. The certified reference material (CRM) is available in amber glass ampoules containing 27 mL of automotive diesel fuel material with a volume fraction of 7 % biodiesel closed under argon atmosphere.JRC.F.6-Reference Material

Certification of the mass concentration of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, iron, manganese, mercury, lead, nickel and selenium in wastewater: ERM®-CA713

The report describes the production and certification of the certified reference material ERM-CA713 Wastewater. The material was produced to replace the existing materials BCR-713, BCR-714 and BCR-715 because of changes in the legislation, in particular the requirement for the monitoring of Hg as a priority substance. The material is certified for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mn, Ni, Pb and Se. and will serve as a quality control tool for the laboratories involved in the mandatory monitoring of the Priority Substances prescribed under the Water Framework Directive (WFD, 2000/60/EC).JRC.D.2-Standards for Innovation and sustainable Developmen