2013 Luminescent Bacteria Toxicity Assay Programme

The 21st edition of the Inter-laboratory Comparison Exercise for the Luminescent Bacteria Toxicity Assay is due to start in February 2013. This yearly exercise has been conducted in Spain since 1993, was joined in 2004 by the Benelux and other countries, and is now being extended widely across Europe through the BEQUALM self-funded scheme since 2005.

The goal of these Inter-laboratory Comparison Exercises is to improve the current knowledge on the capabilities and limitations of this bioassay, sensitivity for different chemicals, and determination of the inter- and intra-laboratory variability. We have created a forum where users of the Luminescent Bacteria Toxicity assay can share experiences on the assay itself, its uses, applications, regulatory concerns, etc.

This assay has been established as a regulatory tool for wastewater control in Spain and other countries, and has been standardized since 1998 (ISO 11348:1998). Accreditation through ISO 17025 requires proof of a healthy internal Quality System and this Exercise allows participants to verify their own results, and take corrective actions to improve their Quality Assurance System.

Participation per-se does not imply any qualification or classification regarding the laboratory technical competence.

Objectives of the Exercise

  • to improve the current knowledge of the assay performance with different types of contaminants
  • to provide participants with an independent tool for verification of their internal quality assurance system
  • to provide statistically relevant data on the inter- and intra-laboratory variability

Participation Rules

  • Participation is completely voluntary
  • Confidentiality of the identity of participant laboratories is absolutely guaranteed.
  • Participation is private. It does not imply recognition from any regulatory body or public administration agency.
  • A final meeting is normally held where participants are presented with the final report, and have the opportunity to share experiences, discuss general results, and make suggestions for future exercises.

QA Programme for 2013

  • Five series of 6 samples (blind and coded) will be analysed over a period of 5 months beginning February 2013. Each series is to be analysed on pre-determined dates.
  • For each sample, the toxicity after 15 minutes exposure will be determined using participant’s own Standard Operating Procedure, and the EC50% value will be calculated and reported. Complete instructions will be sent to each participant, before the start of the exercise.
  • All samples will be dispatched in a single delivery to each participant laboratory, and will consist of both standard toxicant solutions and real effluent samples
  • Participants will return each set of results and related data by specified dates.
  • Participants will receive a Final Report of results around October 2013
  • Each participant will receive a Statement of Performance and Certificate of Participation.

Confidentiality

The Centre for Research and Innovation in Toxicology of the UPC guarantees complete confidentiality regarding identity and results submitted by each participant. When discussing results, only the participant codes will be referred to.

The copyright in the results, reports, calculations, drawings, other documents and any material in any format provided in connection with the exercise will belong to the CRIT. Total or partial publication of any information related to this exercise, in whatever format, is not allowed without written permission from CRIT

Registration Fee

The registration fee for 2013 for NEW participants to the Luminescent Bacteria Interlaboratory Comparison Exercise will be:

£883 + VAT where applicable

Previous participants (i.e. those who participated in the 2011 and/or 2012 interlaboratory comparison) will be eligible for a discount (Fee: £794.70). You will be contacted by Cefas Technology Limited via email with a Coupon Code to use when registering, via the link below, for the 2013 Interlaboratory Comparison.

The fee will cover: sample preparation, verification, packing and shipping within Europe, receiving and verifying data results, calculation when needed, overall data processing, statistical calculations, preparation of final report, a Statement of Performance and maintenance of an open e-mail hot-line, to where participants can ask questions, share experiences and make suggestions for improvement.

Shipping costs outside Europe are not enclosed in the registration fee and any additional shipping costs will be charged separately where applicable.

Participants will provide their own reagents, glassware, laboratory disposables and personnel in performing the assay. We are indebted to microloan, B.V.  and to Instrumentacion Analitica, SDI (Strategic Diagnostics, Inc) agents in the Benelux and Spain respectively, for their continued support to this round-robin.

Deadline for Registration for 2013 Intercalibration is 24 January 2013

Registration and Payment

Cefas Technology Ltd (CTL) is a wholly owned company of Cefas, and will manage registration and payment administration of the Whole Organism component, including the luminescent bacteria assay, of the BEQUALM QA/QC programme using the on-line ordering and payment system available on the CTL website (see below)

This is to keep administration to a minimum and costs to participants as low as possible. Payment is required in advance of the start of the Programme Year. No materials will be dispatched until payment has been received in full. A booking receipt is generated by the on-line ordering system automatically once you have placed your order.

Various payment options are available (see below).

BEQUALM WHOLE ORGANISM COMPONENT, LUMINESCENT BACTERIA - PAYMENT OPTIONS and VAT LIABILITY

The following payment options are available:

Credit card payments are acceptable for payments in £GB

BACS payments and bank credit transfers are acceptable. Please ensure that your payment includes all bank charges incurred for transferring fees. Cefas Technology Ltd will not be liable for these charges and will aim to recover costs incurred from participants.

The liability for Value Added Tax (VAT) on the services provided is as follows:

UK & The Isle of Man: participants are liable to UK VAT

EU (not UK) participants who are not registered for VAT are liable for UK VAT. Participants who are registered for VAT and who receive the supply for business purposes are not liaible for UK VAT and should account for any tax locally. You will be asked to supply your VAT number during the on-line ordering process.

CANCELLATION No refunds are available on cancellation.

CONFIRMATION. Your order will be confirmed via the on-line ordering system.

BEQUALM WHOLE ORGANISM COMPONENT - Terms and Conditions

Laboratories participating in the scheme do so on the basis of accepting the Special Terms and Conditions for the Products and Services provided by CTL, acting through Cefas under the Whole Organism Component of the BEQUALM QA/QC programme, and should be read in conjunction with the CTL Standard Website Terms and Conditions of Sale.

In order to register for the BEQUALM whole organism component each Participating Laboratory (“Buyer”) will be asked to confirm their agreement to these terms and conditions as provided by CTL (“The Seller”)

To place an order to participate please proceed to order


Campus Terrassa - Zona IPCT
Ctra Nac. 150 km 14,5
08227 Terrassa
Tel: +34 93 7398399
Fax: +34 93 7398392
Web: www.crit.upc.edu
Email: info@crit.upc.edu

 

 

 

 

 

 


penedes, 46 - 08820 el prat de llobregat (barcelona) 93 4787161 - 93 4787984
email barcelona@instruanalitica.com
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91 358879 - 91 3588946
email madrid@instruanalitica.com
www.instruanalitica.com