AN INTERLABORATORY CHARACTERIZATION (CERTIFICATION) CAMPAIGN TO ESTABLISH THE ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF A NEW SERIES OF AGRICULTURAL FOOD REFERENCE MATERIALS

Ten new Agricultural/Food Reference Materials (RM) have been character ized with respect to their elemental compositions in an extensive inte rlaboratory characterization (certification) campaign. The philosophy applied to determine best estimate and informational concentration val ues was the expert analyst-independent method approach. Chemical analy ses were conducted in two initiating laboratories and by analysts in 7 3 cooperating laboratories applying 13 major classes of independently different analytical methods; approximately 13,000 results were obtain ed for a large number of nutritionally, toxicologically and environmen tally pertinent elements. Results were assessed in depth using technic al judgement and statistical criteria. A total of 213 best estimate va lues, with associated uncertainties for a single future observation, a nd 65 informational values were obtained. Concentrations were measured for 34 elements in 10 materials which represent a wide range of matri ces and elemental contents and significantly augment the world reperto ire of reference materials.