MICROCRM: Feasibility certification studies ofmicrobiological reference materials

摘要

In 2002 feasibility certification studies were carried out on threedifferent types of microbiological reference materials for eightdifferent ISO and EN standard methods, related to EU water legislation(Drinking-water Directive and Bathing-water Directive). These studieswere performed as part of the European project 'Microbiological CertifiedReference Materials in support of EU water legislation, performancetesting and laboratory quality control' (MICROCRM 01/02/2001 -01/11/2003). The aim of the project was to determine the conditionsnecessary to produce and certify key reference materials for watermicrobiology. The three different types of reference materials werecapsules, lenticules and pastilles. For each type of reference material,eight batches - containing different strains - were prepared (for use forthe eight different methods). Thirteen European laboratoriesparticipated in the studies. The results of the studies werestatistically analysed by three statisticians of the three partners inthe project. The main conclusion was that certification of themicrobiological reference materials was feasible for all targetparameters at the desired concentration levels for the two directivesmentioned above.