Commission Regulation (EC) No 152/2009Show full title

[F1 A. PREPARATION OF SAMPLES FOR ANALYSIS U.K.

1. Purpose U.K.

The procedures described below concern the preparation for analysis of samples, sent to the control laboratories after sampling in accordance with the provisions laid down in Annex I.

The laboratory samples must be prepared in such a way that the amounts weighed out, as provided for in the methods of analysis, are homogeneous and representative of the final samples.

2. Precautions to be taken U.K.

The sample preparation procedure to be followed is dependent on the methods of analysis to be used and the constituents or substances to be controlled. It is therefore of major importance that it is ensured that the followed sample preparation procedure is appropriate for the used method of analysis and for constituents or substances to be controlled.

All the necessary operations must be performed in such a way as to avoid as far as possible contamination of the sample and changes of its composition.

Grinding, mixing and sieving shall be carried out without delay with minimal exposure of the sample to the air and light. Mills and grinders likely to appreciably heat the sample shall not be used.

Manual grinding is recommended for feed which are particularly sensitive to heat. Care shall also be taken to ensure that the apparatus itself is not a source of contamination.

If the preparation cannot be carried out without significant changes in the moisture content of the sample, determine the moisture content before and after preparation according to the method laid down in Part A of Annex III.

3. Procedure U.K.

3.1. General procedure U.K.

The test aliquot is taken from the final sample. Coning and quartering is not recommended because this might provide test aliquots with high splitting error.

3.1.1. Feed which can be ground as such U.K.

• Mix the sieved final sample and collect it in a suitable clean, dry container fitted with an air-tight stopper. Mix again in order to ensure full homogenisation, immediately before weighing out the amount for analysis (test aliquot).

3.1.2. Feed which can be ground after drying U.K.

• Unless otherwise specified in the methods of analysis, dry the final sample to bring its moisture content down to a level of 8 to 12 %, according to the preliminary drying procedure described under point 4.3 of the method of determination of moisture mentioned in Part A of Annex III). Then proceed as indicated in section 3.1.1.

3.1.3. Liquid or semi-liquid feed U.K.

• Collect the final sample in a suitable clean, dry container, fitted with an air-tight stopper. Mix thoroughly in order to ensure full homogenisation immediately before weighing out the amount for analysis (test aliquot).

3.1.4. Other feed U.K.

• Final samples which cannot be prepared according to one of the above procedures shall be treated by any other procedure which ensures that the amounts weighed out for the analysis (test aliquot) are homogeneous and representative of the final samples.

3.2. Specific procedure in case of examination by visual inspection or by microscopy or in cases where the whole aggregate sample is homogenised U.K.

• In case of an examination by visual inspection (without making use of microscope), the whole laboratory sample is used for examination.

• In case of a microscopic examination, the laboratory may reduce the aggregate sample, or further reduce the reduced sample. The final samples for defence and eventually reference purposes are taken following a procedure equivalent to the procedure followed for the final sample for enforcement.

• In case the whole aggregate sample is homogenized, the final samples are taken from the homogenized aggregate sample.

4. Storage of samples U.K.

Samples must be stored at a temperature that will not alter their composition. Samples intended for the analysis of vitamins or substances which are particularly sensitive to light shall be stored in such conditions that the sample is not adversely affected by light.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Substituted by Commission Regulation (EU) No 691/2013 of 19 July 2013 amending Regulation (EC) No 152/2009 as regards methods of sampling and analysis (Text with EEA relevance).