The 2024/2 QS laboratory performance assessment for the matrix pointed cabbage provided exciting insights. A total of 59 laboratories from 18 countries, including India and Vietnam, analysed the specified test materials. All 41 participating recognised laboratories successfully passed the test. Eight of the 18 laboratories in the recognition procedure, including one third-party laboratory, were unable to meet the requirements.
Particularly impressive were 25 laboratories, including 23 recognized laboratories, that worked flawlessly and correctly identified and quantified all active substances.
The test design challenged the participants by focusing on the analysis of ten active substances that were distributed differently in three test materials. Among other things, the laboratories tested four active substances (cyflufenamid (fungicide) and etoxazole, esfenvalerate, pyridaben (all insecticides, acaricides)) that were components of a QS test for the first time. In addition, they had to carry out a hydrolysis after the determination of the free acid of 2,4-D in order to cover the entire residue definition.
The test made it clear that the recognized laboratories are well positioned, but must also keep an eye on special analytical challenges. The laboratory managers will discuss the results and the discovered analytical peculiarities, for example the stability of the active substances in the matrix of pointed cabbage, in detail at the next QS laboratory managers' meeting. This exchange helps the laboratories to further optimize their methods and to sustainably secure the QS requirements.
