1. Identification of standardisation needs in the light of the SW/MW Guidance development - 3rd CMA meeting March 2006, Brussels
Ulrich Borchers, Germany, CEN TC 230

2. Why do we need standardisation?
Standardisation supplies commonly accepted and validated tools where needed
Standards can support
policy making
legislative activities
e.g. by filling gaps (concerning technical issues) in guidance documents of the Commission

3. General statements (1)
The results of chemical monitoring activities under the WFD have to be
comparable
reliable
validated
A fitness-for-purpose approach for analytical methods is
commonly accepted and
state of the art
reflected in most of the recently published standards

4. General statements (2)
But, to make this approach successfully, standardisation of some items is needed
for general QA/QC requirements
for proving the comparability and reliability of results
for operationally defined parameters/procedures
For operational defined parameter a close co-operation between relevant parties seems to be optimal
research community
policy makers
standardisation bodies

5. General statements (3)
The guidance documents should address the problem and the common understanding
e.g. dissolved fraction means the filtrate of a 0,45 µm membrane filtration according to EN ISO ####
But, the method should be described in detail and validated by a standardisation group

6. Basic Elements of Harmonisation of Chemical Analysis
General tools and requirements
Sampling procedures
Sample pre-treatment and processing
Analysis
operationally defined parameters/procedures
distinct parameters

7. General QA/QC tools (standards)
What we have:
competence of labs (ISO 17025)
competence of PT providers (ISO 17024)
requirements for PT schemes (ISO Guide 43-1/-2)
evaluation of PT results (e.g. ISO 13528)
comparability of methods/results
What we still need:
Validation of methods (criteria and approaches)
Traceability of results
Calculation of uncertainty (easy applicable approach)
LOQ/LOD

8. Sampling methods (standards)
What we have:
ISO 5667 series, part
covering most techniques and matrices
What we still need:
SPM sampling methods
passive sampling techniques
Use of sampling data for decision making
new ISO project: ISO/CD

9. Sample pre-treatment (standards)
Most of these methods/procedures are operationally defined!!
What we have (only examples):
aqua regia digestion of sediments/water
nitric acid digestion of sediments/water
What we still need:
Filtration (dissolved fraction), 0,45 µm
solvent extraction of sediments or SPM
fractionation of particles (sieving/centrifugation)
special extraction methods (e.g. bioavailability of metals)

10. Analytical methods (1) What we have (EU wide Survey on methods):
For approximately 90% of the priority substances we have CEN or ISO standards suitable for compliance checking of EQS
Standards are the most sensitive methods for
Benzene
Volatile halogenated compounds
Di-Ethyl-Hexyl-Phthalates (DEHP)
Octyl-/Nonylphenol
Tributyl-Tin
for some organo-chlorine pesticides

11. Analytical methods (2)
Recently released standards actually represent the best and most sensitive methods for analysing PS in water
Methods were applied in most EU MS
often without modifications
Application of Standards is often prescribed by Accreditation bodies

12. Analytical methods (3) What do we need:
New methods for the determination of :
C10-13 chloroalkanes (SCCP)
pre-normative research urgently needed!!
brominated diphenyl ethers (PDBE) in water
hexachlorobutadiene, tributyl tin compounds (inland and marine waters)
pentachlorobenzene (only marine waters)
Modified methods suitable for waters with higher amounts of SPM
New methods for SPM analysis
see also pre-treatment requirements

13. Analytical methods (4) What we need: Re-validation of standards
where experience has shown that better performance data are achievable
where better performance criteria are necessary for compliance checking of the EQS
Clarification of definition matching for substance groups or mixtures of isomers
definitions in standards and legislation should be identically
A common understanding of how to report results is essential
e.g. for PDBE, SCCP, nonylphenols

14. Next steps
Survey on existing research and standardisation projects in all relevant matrices
within the EAQC-WISE framework
Validation concepts for methods
within NORMAN network
Standardisation needs defined by CMA group and DG ENV
Priority setting
Launch of new work item proposals (NWI) at CEN or ISO level

15. What we offer CEN / TC 230 is well prepared
to give any required technical input to the CIS of the WFD
to support the CMA approach actively
and will be happy to work on
new methods for water and SPM to fill the gaps
the further enhancement of methods