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CEN calls for the development of standardised methods for the analysis of metal species in food

(09.03.2010)


Background:
Standardization mandate M/422/rev1 in the field of methods of analysis for heavy metals and iodine in food was issued by the European Commission in the framework of the Regulation (EC 882/2004) on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food low, animal health and animal welfare rules. This Regulation provides that sampling and analysis methods used in the context of official controls shall comply with relevant Community rules or if no such rules exist, with internationally recognised rules or protocols, for example those than CEN has accepted.
Currently M/422 rev1 is submitted to the approval procedure in CEN until 1st March 2010.

The establishment of standardized methods of analysis is of utmost importance to guarantee a uniform application and control of the European legislation in all Member States. Standardized methods of analysis are an indispensable element in guaranteeing a high level of food and feed safety.
The analytical methods to be developed will be used for performing the required controls (Article 11 of the Regulation).

The objectives of the call:
Publication of the following standardized methods for analysis of heavy metals in food:
  • Determination of inorganic arsenic in food (must include food of plan origin and food of marine origin)
  • Determination of methylmercury in food of marine origin
Execution
The execution of the mandate will be split in two projects. For each project a project leader has to be appointed for technical work. The institutes for standardisation in Sweden (SIS) and Germany (DIN) will take care of the procedural work. DIN will sign contracts with the project leaders and SIS will administrate the technical process.

Tasks of the project leader
The project leaders will be responsible for the management of their projects. The execution of the projects involves the following:
  • monitor the literature, evaluation and validation studies;
  • inform CEN/TC 275/WG 10, Elements and their chemical species, of the progress of the projects;
  • discuss results of the work within CEN/TC 275/WG 10;
  • preparation of interim and final reports to be submitted to the Commission;
  • preparation of the draft European Standard (the draft must be approved by CEN/TC 275/WG 10 after which the formal CEN-procedure will start);
  • evaluation of technical comments given during meetings of CEN/TC 275/WG 10 or CEN/TC 275 Food analysis - Horizontal methods and given during the enquiry stage of the draft European Standard.
  •  the project leaders will be subcontractors of DIN;
A specification per project for the project leader is given in the Annex.
The projects shall be finalized within a total time of five years, from the signing of the contract.

Financial support
The assignment of the task and execution of the work (method development, validation and standardization) will be dependent upon European Commission/EFTA funding.
The project leader's and subcontractor's costs shall be justified with copies of the relevant invoices. All relevant evidence shall be kept in view of future payments (reports on test, work, drafts and deliverables, contracts & invoices, tickets, boarding cards, hotel invoices, attendance lists with signatures, meeting agendas & reports, invoices (consumables, etc.), purchase orders etc…)
The financial support from the European Commission and EFTA is based on the Framework Partnership Agreement 2009 (FPA). The subcontractors shall fulfil the conditions of the FPA (liability, ownership of results, confidentiality…)
The contracts with the selected project leaders will be signed following: The acceptance of M/422 Rev1 by CEN; The signature of the contract with EC/EFTA.

Replies to tender
Tenders can be sent (by mail or e-mail) to the secretary of CEN/TC 275/WG 10 Elements and their chemical species Ms. Lorena Olivares (lorena.olivares@sis.se), as soon as possible and at the latest by 04 April 2010.
If required additional information can be obtained from the convenor of CEN/TC 275/WG 10, Mr Lars Jorhem (phone: + 46 18 175673, e-mail: lars.jorhem@slv.se) or the secretary of CEN/TC 275/WG 10, Mrs Lorena Olivares (phone: + 46 8 555 520 68, e-mail: lorena.olivares@sis.se)


Related Information

CEN/SIS/DIN Call with Annex


Related EVISA Resources

Link Database: Analytical methods for inorganic arsenic
Link Database: Analytical methods for organic mercury
Brief summary: Standard methods for arsenic speciation analysis 
Brief summary: Standard methods for chromium speciation analysis


Related EVISA News

February 23, 2010: US EPA opens inorganic arsenic cancer assessment for public review
October 30, 2009: New quick test for methylmercury
October 21, 2009: USGS Study Reveals Mercury Contamination in Fish Nationwide
May 26, 2009: UK Food Standards Agency releases research on arsenic in rice milk
February 11, 2009: Mercury in Fish is a Global Health Concern
December 4, 2008: High level of inorganic arsenic in blue mussels from Norwegian Fjords
November 11, 2008: EFSA calls for data on arsenic levels in food and water
October 30, 2008: Precautionary approach to methylmercury needed
March 15, 2008: Arsenic in rice milk exceeds EU and US drinking water standards
February 15, 2008: Arsenic speciation in rice: a question of the rice plant species
December 26, 2007: The effect of thermal treatment on the arsenic speciation in food
March 11, 2007: Methylmercury contamination of fish warrants worldwide public warning
March 7, 2007: Elevated Arsenic Levels Found In Rice Grown In South Central States of the USA
September 7, 2006: Toxic inorganic arsenic species found in Japanese seaweed food
June 8, 2006: Methylmercury in fish: Can you cook it out ?
April 6, 2006: Testing finds: Arsenic added to feedstuff finds its way into chicken meat
August 29, 2005: Is methyl mercury limiting the delight of seafood ? - To answer this question is a challenge for elemental speciation analysis
August 3, 2005: Surprisingly high concentrations of toxic arsenic species found in U.S. rice
April 27, 2005: Conflict raised in chicken arsenic debate
April 27, 2004: FDA/EPA recommends pregnant women to restrict their fish consumption because of methylmercury content




last time modified: July 1, 2020



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