The United Kingdom Accreditation Services (UKAS) have recently carried out a review of water matrices definitions for sampling and testing. Under the current guidance there is a potential for variance between laboratories nomenclature of matrix types and this is an area that UKAS are attempting to address.

When a sample is submitted to ALS Environmental, or any analytical laboratory, the sample matrix is assessed to ensure that the correct methodology is used to analyse your sample.
 

Each matrix is the specific type of sample we receive
– for example instead of classifying a sample as a water we would need clarification as to if it’s a process or drinking water. Without this there could be implications to the accreditation that we are able to apply against your analytical data.

A summary of the new water matrices definitions can be downloaded here.

The next phase of the assessment will be for UKAS to review and update the schedules of accreditation for all UKAS ISO 17025:2005 accredited laboratories. This exercise will remove the inconsistencies which currently exist and provide the market with a clearer reference for comparability between laboratories.

ALS Environmental have been working towards the matrix accreditation model for some time, this is demonstrated in our quotations whereby we provide all quotations with a matrix specific accreditation. We also provide the sample matrix accreditation on all order acknowledgements sent for each job.

We are updating our IT systems to reflect the matrix definition changes from the UKAS review and at the same time the sample matrix level accreditation will be extended to our reports. This will ensure compliance with the requirements of UKAS and enable us to provide clearer accreditation information to our customers.

Christopher Caird, Quality Director at ALS Environmental comments:

“The updated sample matrix definitions will help raise our customer's awareness when comparing analytical data sets from various laboratories by ensuring that samples have been processed in a similar way. It is of vital importance that our clients start to use the updated matrix types to ensure that their samples are analysed under our UKAS accreditation”

ALS Environmental are able to provide analysis for soils, waters, gases, air and fibres under our UKAS ISO 17025:2005 accreditation from our laboratories in Wakefield, Chester and Coventry. The changes being driven by UKAS for waters will potentially impact every one of our customers and their associated ALS testing laboratory.

Due to the potential implications of not using the correct matrix ALS Environmental would request that you use these matrix descriptions for all future quotation request and sample submissions. It is vitally important that the sample matrix is clearly identified at the quote stage and when you submit your samples for analysis. This will ensure the correct accreditation is applied to your analytical test reports. Where a sample matrix description is not provided accreditation cannot be applied.

If you require any updated or revised quotations as a result of this change please request this from your customer services co-ordinator or call us on 02476 42 12 13.