Development of harmonised protocols for method validation for monitoring and biomonitoring of emerging pollutants

','++public_docs/norman_v1_v2_v3_version_01.pdf');?> NORMAN is developing a (1134 kB) to the validation of both chemical and biological methods for the respective monitoring and bio-monitoring of emerging pollutants (occurrence and effects) in a broad range of matrices. This framework addresses three different validation approaches, in increasing order of complexity:

Moreover, a (757 kB) in a broader context, for which no standardised guidelines are available, has been developed.

For the discovery of emerging pollutants through Effect Directed Analysis or EDA - indicating the integrated use of chemical and biological techniques, this protocol provides the reader with a set of recommendations for the various aspects of EDA studies.

Why do we need a common validation framework?

Comparability and reliability of monitoring data are essential for any meaningful assessment and for the management of environmental risks. For emerging pollutants, there is concern regarding the comparability of data at the European level. Methods used for the monitoring of emerging pollutants have often not been properly validated either in-house (i.e. within a single laboratory) or at the international level. Such methods are often not well established in the scientific community, and are therefore far from being harmonised or standardised. In addition, those methods developed by different institutions and organisations may only be applicable to specific conditions (matrix, organism) which may further complicate data comparability.

Where are we now?

The first draft of the protocols is now available and the two documents can be downloaded for review. For the sake of user friendliness the three validation protocols have been combined into a single document. Your comments and suggestions for improvement of the protocols will be highly appreciated. Download (1134 kB pdf file); (757 kB pdf file);

What will be the future steps?

This first version of the protocols will be improved based on your comments and the feedback from the . organised by NORMAN.

Efforts will be made towards the implementation of the protocols in the fields of European legislation and European Standardisation. To this purpose, the final protocols will be used to launch New Work Item Proposals at CEN for the development of new technical guidelines / reports (e.g. CEN TR).

Contact

For comments or questions on the methods validation protocols you can contact the Work Package leader .