Eurachem Working Groups

Method Validation Working Group

The Eurachem Method Validation Working Group (MVWG) aims to function as a centre of expertise in the field by assembling and promoting best practice in Method Validation.

Terms of Reference

The Eurachem Method Validation Working Group has been established and will operate in accordance with the Constitution agreed in the Eurachem Memorandum of Understanding. It will function as a centre of expertise by identifying and developing best practices on how to ensure that analytical methods are fit for purpose. The MVWG is working:

  1. To provide guidance on method validation. This guidance will be applicable to all analytical laboratories and meet the requirements for accreditation;
  2. To organize - and contribute to - international seminars and workshops on issues related to method validation within analytical measurement;
  3. To collaborate and provide input on method validation into other Eurachem working groups, joint task groups and other professional liaison organisations;
  4. To follow and discuss new developments within analytical measurement, which may require new approaches regarding method validation;
  5. To contribute to the "Reading List" with relevant references on method validation in analytical measurement.

Activities

 Past

  • Contributed to the scientific programme of the Eurachem workshop Quality Assurance in Chemical, Medical and Microbiological Laboratories in Vilnius, Lithuania, May 2024.

  • Presented on method validation of non-targeted methods at the Eurachem Cyprus event Recent developments in Quality Assurance, Nicosia, Cyprus, March 2024.

  • Contributed to the Eurolab webinar Method and procedure validation across laboratories: navigating precision in lab practices, February 2024.

  • Arranged a series of webinars, in conjunction with AOAC-E, entitled Trends & challenges for Non-Targeted Methods, November 2022 & June 2023.

  • Published the information leaflet The importance of method validation, 2021.

  • Published two supplementary guidance documents Blanks in method validation and Planning and reporting method validation studies, 2019.

  • Contributed to the NMKL-NordVal International symposium Speeding towards omics, Oslo, Norway, June 2019.

  • Contributed to the scientific program of the Eurachem Workshop Validation of targeted and non-targeted methods of analysis, Tartu, Estonia, May 2019.

  • Led a workshop Are MS-based methods fit for purpose? at the XXII International Mass Spectrometry Conference, Florence, Italy, August 2018.

Current

  • The MVWG normally meets twice a year. One of these meetings takes place online while the second is in person. In addition, task groups may have occassional online chats on specific topics.
    MVWG 2020 02

Members of MVWG assempled face-to-face
for the last time before Covid
(Rome, February 2020)

  • The MVWG is currently working on supplementary guidance on individual aspects of method validation, either to be included in a coming version of the "Fitness for Purpose" guide as annexes or to be issued as supplements to the main guide.
    So far the following supplements have been issued:
    "Planning and reporting method validation studies"
    "Blanks in Method Validation"
    ...and more are in the pipeline
  • The MVWG are currently finalising work on revision of the Fitness for Purpose guide (3rd edition due around 2024). 
  • The MVWG is working on preparing a supplement which contains examples which apply the principles recommended in the "Fitness for Purpose" guide.
  • A Task Group on Validation of Non-Targeted Methods has been established. Arranging a series of ½-day webinars on the subject in cooperation with AOAC-E.
  • A Joint Task Group (JTG) has been set up in cooperation with the Sampling Uncertainty WG and with inputs from Eurolab and NMKL, to prepare Supplementary Guidance on the Validation of Measurement Procedures that Include Sampling. Initial discussions within the JTG have focused on the balance between the quantitative and descriptive approach, and also between the integrated and isolated approach. A Discussion Forum, joint with Eurolab, was held online on 4th May 2022 to engage with the wider user community and attracted 450 participants.

Contact the Working Group

The working group may be contacted via the working group Secretary using the Website contact form.
If interested in membership of the working group, the document "Method Validation Working Group – Roles & Responsibilities" should be requested from the secretary. 

Members

  • Isabelle Vercruysse (Belgium)
  • Lorens Sibbesen (Denmark)
  • Piotr Robouch (JRC/EU) (C)
  • Pieter Dehouck (JRC/EU; Vice-Chair/Secretary)
  • Abdelkader Boubetra (France)
  • Nathalie Guigues (France)
  • Barbara Pohl (Germany) 
  • Stephan Walch (Germany)
  • Helen Gika (Greece)
  • Marios Kostakis (Greece)
  • Helen Cantwell (Ireland; Chair)
  • John Clancy (Ireland)
  • Karen Moore (Ireland)
  • Emanuela Gregori (Italy)
  • Marina Patriarca (Italy)
  • Elin Lovise Folven Gjengedal (Norway) (C)
  • Ewa Bulska (Poland) (C)
  • Pedro Pablo Morillas Bravo (Spain)
  • Francisco Raposo (Spain)
  • Elvar Theodorsson (Sweden) (C)
  • Ernst Halder (Switserland)
  • Fatma Akcadag (Türkiye)
  • Burcu Binici (Türkiye)
  • Perihan Yolci Ömeroglu (Türkiye)
  • Vicki Barwick (UK)
  • Steve Ellison (UK) (C)
    (C): Corresponding member
Details
Last Updated: Friday, 14 June 2024 15:33