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

Evaluation of EC Measurement Comparison for 137Cs, 40K and 90Sr in Milk Powder

This report describes the full life cycle of the measurement comparison of 137Cs, 40K and 90Sr in milk powder among 60 European laboratories monitoring radioactivity in food and the environment. An available IAEA reference material was re-processed at IRMM into suitable intercomparison samples and the homogeneity of the distributed samples together with other quality parameters was determined. Reference values of the three radionuclides under study in this intercomparison were determined at IRMM using tracer techniques and standardised radionuclide solutions and are thus traceable to the SI units. The sample preparation and measurement processes applied in the participating laboratories are described and the results of the intercomparison are presented and discussed in detail. Whereas, in general, the measurement results for 137Cs and 40K show good agreement with the reference value, the results of this comparison point at problems of 90Sr determination in about one third of the laboratories. The corresponding participants should investigate and revise their analytical methods, next to many laboratories needing to improve their estimation of measurement uncertainty.JRC.D.4-Isotope measurement

CERTIFICATION REPORT The certification of the mass concentration of As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni and Pb, and density in seawater: ERM®-CA403

Summary This report describes the production of ERM®-CA403, a seawater material certified for the density and the mass concentrations of As, Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Mo, Ni, and Pb. The material was produced following ISO Guide 34:2009. The starting material was 1500 L of seawater collected at Southern Bight just inside of Belgian territorial waters. The sample was filtered, acidified and spiked before filling into 500 mL high density polyethylene (HDPE) bottles which were placed into an aluminised PET/M (metallized polyethylene terephthalate) sachets. The material was sterilised by gamma irradiation. Between unit-homogeneity was quantified and stability during dispatch and storage were assessed in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006 . Due to the inherent homogeneity of filtered water samples, determination of minimum sample intake (within-unit heterogeneity) was not required. The material was characterised by an inter-comparison among 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 compliance with the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) and include uncertainties related to possible inhomogeneity, and instability and to characterisation. The material is intended for the quality control and assessment of method performance. As any reference material, it can also be used for control charts or validation studies. The certified reference material (CRM) is available in bottles containing 500 mL of seawater. The CRM was accepted as European Reference Material (ERM®) after peer evaluation by the partners of the European Reference Materials consortium.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

The certification of the mass fraction of the total content of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se and Zn in Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus): ERM®-CD200

This report describes the production of ERM®-CD200, a powdered bladderwrack material (Fucus vesiculosus) certified for the mass fraction of the total content of As, Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, Se and Zn. The material was produced following ISO Guide 34:2009. Approximately 60 kg of brown algae seaweed (bladderwrack, Fucus vesiculosus) was collected in Galway (Ireland) and processed at IRMM (Belgium) to produce a certified reference material (CRM) of seaweed powder. The produced vials containing the processed seaweed were carefully capped, sealed and stored for further certification studies. Between-unit homogeneity was quantified as well as stability during dispatch and storage in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006. Within-unit homogeneity was also quantified to determine the minimum sample intake. The material was characterised by an inter-laboratory comparison 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 calculated in compliance with the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM) including uncertainty contribution related to possible heterogeneity and instability of the material as well as to the characterisation. The material is intended for the quality control and assessment of method performance. As any reference material, it can also be used for control charts or validation studies. The CRM is available in amber glass vials containing approximately 5 g of dried powder, placed in aluminized polythene sachet closed under a nitrogen atmosphere. The minimum amount of sample to be used is 200 mg. The CRM was 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 OF THE MASS FRACTION OF PERFLUORALKYL SUBSTANCES (PFASs) IN FISH TISSUE (PIKE-PERCH): IRMM-427

This report describes the production of IRMM-427, a fish material certified for the mass fraction of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). The material was produced following ISO Guide 34:2009. The starting material for the CRM is naturally contaminated pike-perch fillets originating from the rivers Nieuwe Merwede and Amer in the Netherlands. After converting the tissue into a paste, the material was sterilized by autoclavation at 120 °C and the jars stored at 18 °C. Between-unit homogeneity was quantified and stability during dispatch and storage were assessed in accordance with ISO Guide 35:2006. Within-unit homogeneity was quantified to determine the minimum sample intake. The material was characterised by an intercomparison among laboratories of demonstrated competence and in most cases 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 estimated in compliance 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 any reference material, it can also be used for control charts or validation studies. The CRM is available in glass jars containing approximately 35 g of fish paste. The minimum amount of sample to be used is 1 g.JRC.D.5-Standards for Food Bioscienc