Eurachem Newsletter No 12 Summer 1997

The EURACHEM Report (2 reports)

Eurachem Reports

  1. Working Party on Analytical Chemistry converts into a Division
  2. The Referee goes Inside Laboratory Management

Federation of European Chemical Societiesork
Working Party on Analytical Chemistry converts into a Division

In Septemebr last year, FECS’ Working Party on Analytical Chemistry (WPAC) decided to convert into a Division of Analytical Chemistry, within the framework of the Federation of European Chemical Societies (FECS).

The main advantage of this change was seen to be that representation would no longer be limited to national societies or divisions/sections of analy-tical chemistry. Other important pan-European institutions or societies could also be accepted as members. Together with a growing contingent of observers from all continents, the formulation of a total view on analytical chemistry and its importance for Society was now believed to be possible.

Present delegates and observers will maintain their position while WPAC’s study groups and ACTIVE will continue their important strategic role under DAC’s wings.

A task group has been formed to prepare the goals, guidelines and working practices of DAC as well as to incorporate all present activities into the new Division. The finalisation of this process will take place in Bordeaux during the 25th anniversary celebrations of DAC/WPAC.

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Education as well as Quality Assurance and Accreditation, are of strate-gic importance for DAC/WPAC. Progress reports on these topics were given during the Annual Meeting by the respective study groups.

Prof. Kellner reported the following developments in Education:

  • Views on the Eurocurriculum, discussed at a EUROANALYSIS session by lecturers from several continents (USA, Japan) and international organisations such as CITAC, EURACHEM and IUPAC.
  • The composition by ACTIVE, of a “Who’s Who in analytical chemistry in Europe”. Bauke te Nijenhuis, chair of the study group on Quality Assu-rance and Accreditation, emphasised that quality assuran-ce is not a subject in itself, but has to flourish in an environ-ment with:
  • well-educated analytical chemists, technicians and staff
  • well-developed technology, instrumentation and methods
  • a well-designed system of control and accreditation.

Prof. Kellner and Bauke te Nijenhuis were re-elected as Presi-dent and Secretary respectively of the new Division of Analytical Chemistry.

Ir Bauke te Nijenhuis
Secretariat, DAC/FECS

    Eurachem Reports

    AOAC International

    The Referee goes Inside Laboratory Management

    As a result of a decision taken by the AOAC Board of directors last year, AOAC’s monthly Newsletter to members, The Referee, was incorporated into a new magazine entitled Inside Laboratory Management This brand new publication contains information on laboratory processes, regulations, scientific innovations and technologies, required to stay current and knowledgeable about laboratory practices. Areas normally covered by The Referee will still be covered within a section entitled, The Referee.

    Issue 1 of Inside Laboratory Management was published in February this year.

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    The AOAC Technical Division on Reference Materials (TDRM) has recently published updates from its various task groups. Among these reports were updates on the establishment of a database linking available and suitable reference materials to specific AOAC methods. The database is at present being developed as a spreadsheet and includes information on the method number, matrix, standard reference material required and its source of supply.

    It is hoped that two databases, with essentially the same information but different organisational format, will be made available for cross-reference purposes; one organised by method number and one by standard reference material. So far, only the initial table outline has been published. However, over the next year, the task group hopes to identify individuals who can contribute to the completion of the database and its incorporation as a chapter in AOAC’s Official Methods of Analysis.

    Ms Margreet Lauwaars
    AOAC International

    Eurachem Reports

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    Last updated on 25.07.1997 By Eurachem WebMaster