Metals and Trace Elements
- Two proficiency testing items (samples) on different concentration levels
- 250 mL per proficiency testing item;(cooperation partner UBA, real water samples: additionally 100 mL for Hg per sample)
- Natural samples: one ground water sample, one surface water sample (partly fortified)
Details: UBA and Annual Programme 2025
- Synthetic samples (IFA): Concentration range: µg/L-level, more details can be found here.
- The specified standard deviations for proficiency assessment (z-score-criteria in %) and lower limits apply to synthetic samples in the year 2025
and are calculated from interlaboratory comparisons 2014-2024. The standard deviations are recalculated and updated at regular intervals.
Parameter |
standard deviation for proficiency assessment based on the assigned value |
Lower limit |
Aluminium |
7.5 % |
7.5 µg/L |
Antimony 2) |
8.2 % |
0.15 µg/L |
Arsenic |
6.6 % |
0.5 µg/L |
Barium 2) |
4.3 % |
12 µg/L |
Beryllium 1) |
10 % |
0.1 µg/L |
Cadmium |
5.0 % |
0.1 µg/L |
Cerium 1) |
5.7 % |
0.25 µg/L |
Chromium |
5.9 % |
0.5 µg/L |
Cobalt 1) |
6.0 % |
0.25 µg/L |
Copper |
7.3 % |
1.0 µg/L |
Gadolinium 1) |
9.5 % |
0.05 µg/L |
Iron |
6.4 % |
10 µg/L |
Lead |
6.5 % |
0.3 µg/L |
Lithium 1) |
7.4 % |
1.5 µg/L |
Manganese |
5.1 % |
2.0 µg/L |
Mercury 2) 3) |
11 % |
0.2 µg/L |
Molybdenum 2) |
6.1 % |
0.4 µg/L |
Nickel |
6.4 % |
0.75 µg/L |
Selenium |
8.5 % |
0.45 µg/L |
Silver 1) |
8.6 % |
0.05 µg/L |
Strontium 2) |
4.2 % |
41 µg/L |
Tin 2) |
7.1 % |
0.5 µg/L |
Uranium |
5.4 % |
0.35 µg/L |
Vanadium 1) |
7.4 % |
0.3 µg/L |
Zinc |
6.5 % |
3 µg/L |
1) extended parameter scope (E1) round M177: Ag, Ce, Co, Li, V as well as Be and Gd
2) extended parameter scope (E2) round M179: Ba, Mo, Sb, Sn und Sr; Attention: This round does NOT include Hg 3) !
3) Hg is included in all rounds except M179.
Proficiency testing round |
Registration deadline |
Dispatch |
Organisation |
Proficiency testing item |
Additional |
Closing date |
M175 |
21.01.2025 *) |
04.02.2025 |
UBA |
natural |
  |
04.03.2025 |
M176 |
17.02.2025 *) |
03.03.2025 |
IFA |
synthetic |
  |
28.03.2025 |
M177 |
28.04.2025 *) |
12.05.2025 |
IFA |
synthetic |
E1 1) |
06.06.2025 |
M178 |
25.08.2025 *) |
08.09.2025 |
IFA |
synthetic |
|
03.10.2025 |
M179 |
27.10.2025 *) |
10.11.2025 |
IFA |
synthetic |
E2 2) |
05.12.2025 |
*) Registration after the registration deadline: on request
- Contact IFA:
Uta Kachelmeier, Ing.
Phone: +43(0) 1 47654 97306
- Contact UBA:
Martha Schmid, MSc.
Phone: +43(0) 1 31304 4334