MICROCRM: Feasibility certification studies of microbiological reference materials

In 2002 feasibility certification studies were carried out on three different types of microbiological reference materials for eight different ISO and EN standard methods, related to EU water legislation (Drinking-water Directive and Bathing-water Directive). These studies were performed as part of the European project 'Microbiological Certified Reference Materials in support of EU water legislation, performance testing and laboratory quality control' (MICROCRM 01/02/2001 - 01/11/2003). The aim of the project was to determine the conditions necessary to produce and certify key reference materials for water microbiology. The three different types of reference materials were capsules, lenticules and pastilles. For each type of reference material, eight batches - containing different strains - were prepared (for use for the eight different methods). Thirteen European laboratories participated in the studies. The results of the studies were statistically analysed by three statisticians of the three partners in the project. The main conclusion was that certification of the microbiological reference materials was feasible for all target parameters at the desired concentration levels for the two directives mentioned above