Metals and Trace Elements
- Two samples on different concentration levels
- 250 mL per sample
- Natural samples: one ground water sample, one surface water sample (partly fortified)
Details: UBA and Annual Programme 2023.
- 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 2023
and are calculated from interlaboratory comparisons 2012-2022. At regular intervals the standard deviations are recalculated and updated.
Parameter |
standard deviation for proficiency assessment based on the target value |
Lower limit |
Aluminium |
7.7 % |
8 µg/L |
Antimony 2) |
8.8 % |
0.15 µg/L |
Arsenic |
7.3 % |
0.5 µg/L |
Barium 2) |
4.5 % |
12 µg/L |
Beryllium 1) 3) |
5.7 % 3) |
0.1 µg/L 3) |
Cadmium |
5.4 % |
0.1 µg/L |
Cerium 1) |
5.1 % |
0.25 µg/L |
Chromium |
6.3 % |
0.5 µg/L |
Cobalt 1) |
6.3 % |
0.25 µg/L |
Copper |
7.8 % |
1.0 µg/L |
Gadolinium 1) 3) |
9.5 % 3) |
0.1 µg/L 3) |
Iron |
6.7 % |
10 µg/L |
Lead |
6.7 % |
0.3 µg/L |
Lithium 1) |
7.4 % |
1.5 µg/L |
Manganese |
5.3 % |
2.0 µg/L |
Mercury 2) 5) |
11 % |
0.2 µg/L |
Molybdenum 2) |
6.6 % |
0.4 µg/L |
Nickel |
7.4 % |
0.9 µg/L |
Selenium |
9.4 % |
0.3 µg/L |
Silver 1) |
14 % |
0.05 µg/L |
Strontium 2) 3) 4) |
- |
- |
Tin 2) |
10 % |
0.5 µg/L |
Uranium |
5.5 % |
0.35 µg/L |
Vanadium 1) |
7.6 % |
0.3 µg/L |
Zinc |
7.0 % |
3 µg/L |
1) extended parameter scope (E1) round M167: Ag, Ce, Co, Li, V as well as Be 3) and Gd 3)
2) extended parameter scope (E2) round M169: Ba, Mo, Sb, Sn und Sr 3)4) ; Attention: This round does NOT include Hg!
3) Be, Gd and Sr are not accredited according to EN ISO 17043. Be and Gd have only been observed in a single proficiency test. Therefore the values given in the table are values for orientation puposes for these parameters.
4) Sr will be offered for the first time in 2023, but not in the accredited scope. It is therefore not yet possible to specify a standard deviation for the proficiency assessment (z-score criteria in%) or a limit for this parameter.
5) Hg is included in all rounds except M169.
Round |
Dispatch |
Organisation |
Samples |
Additional |
Closing date |
M165 |
07.02.2023 |
UBA |
natural |
  |
07.03.2023 |
M166 |
06.03.2023 |
IFA |
synthetic |
  |
31.03.2023 |
M167 |
22.05.2023 |
IFA |
synthetic |
E1 1) |
23.06.2023 |
M168 |
04.09.2023 |
IFA |
synthetic |
|
29.09.2023 |
M169 |
06.11.2023 |
IFA |
synthetic |
E2 2) |
01.12.2023 |
- Contact IFA:
Uta Kachelmeier, Ing.
Phone: +43(0) 1 47654 97361
- Contact UBA:
Martha Schmid, MSc.
Phone: +43(0) 1 31304 4334