The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (England) Regulations 2007

[F1 SECTION 3 E+W+S Method of analysis

Textual Amendments

F1 Sch. 12 inserted (6.4.2018) by The Natural Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Drinking Water (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/352), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2

Method of analysis E+W+S

53.   In relation to a parameter specified in the first column of the table in Section 1—

(a) where there is a method of analysis that meets minimum performance characteristics that can be used by a food authority to analyse a sample for the purpose of making a determination in relation to that parameter under paragraph 50, the food authority must analyse the sample using that method of analysis (or using any one of them in a case where more than one method of analysis meets minimum performance characteristics);

(b) where there is no such method of analysis, the food authority must analyse a sample under paragraph 50 using the best available technique not entailing excessive cost.

Minimum performance characteristics E+W+S

54.— (1) For the purpose of paragraph 53(a), a method of analysis for a parameter specified in the first column of the table in Section 4 (minimum performance characteristics for a method of analysis) is a method of analysis that complies with minimum performance characteristics if it is a method of analysis that—

(a) is capable of measuring values equal to the parametric concentration of that parameter with a limit of quantification of 30% or less of the relevant parametric concentration,

(b) has an uncertainty of measurement that does not exceed the percentage of the parametric concentration for the parameter specified in the second column of the table in Section 4, as read with any further provision relating to the calculation of the uncertainty of measurement specified in the third column of the table, and

(c) in the case of total organic carbon, complies with the requirement specified in the fourth column of the table.

(2) For the purpose of sub-paragraph (1)(b), the performance criterion for uncertainty of measurement (k = 2) for a parameter specified in the first column of the table in Section 4 is not less than the percentage specified in the second column of the table of the concentration or value for the parameter specified in the second column of the table in Section 1.

(3) A method of analysis for hydrogen ion concentration pH is a method of analysis that complies with minimum performance characteristics if it is a method of analysis that—

(a) is capable of measuring hydrogen ion concentration pH equal to 4.5 pH with a limit of quantification of 30% or less, and

(b) has an uncertainty of measurement that does not exceed 0.2 of a pH unit.

(4) For the purpose of sub-paragraph (3)(b), the performance criterion for uncertainty of measurement (k = 2) for hydrogen ion concentration pH is not less than 0.2 of a pH unit.

(5) Unless otherwise specified in the third column of the table in Section 4, food authorities must estimate uncertainty of measurement for a parameter specified in the first column of the table at the level of the concentration for the parameter specified in the second column of the table in Section 1.

(6) Where a method of analysis that complies with the requirements of sub-paragraph (1) is used to determine whether the concentration of a parameter specified in the first column of the table in Section 4 exceeds the concentration specified for that parameter in the second column of the table in Section 1, the result of the analysis carried out using that method of analysis must be expressed using at least the same number of significant figures as the number of significant figures used to specify that parametric concentration in the second column of the table in Section 1.

Alternative minimum performance characteristics E+W+S

55.— (1) For the purpose of paragraph 53(a), until the end of 31st December 2019, a method of analysis for a parameter specified in the first column of the table in Section 5 (alternative minimum performance characteristics for a method of analysis that may be used until the end of 31st December 2019) is a method of analysis that complies with minimum performance characteristics if it is a method of analysis that—

(a) is capable of measuring concentrations with a trueness not less than the percentage of the parametric concentration specified in the second column of the table,

(b) is capable of measuring concentrations with a precision not less than the percentage of the parametric concentration specified in the third column of the table, and

(c) has a limit of detection that does not exceed the percentage of the parametric concentration specified in the fourth column of the table.

(2) For the purpose of paragraph 53(a), until the end of 31st December 2019, a method of analysis for hydrogen ion concentration pH is a method of analysis that complies with minimum performance characteristics if it is a method of analysis that is capable of measuring hydrogen ion concentration pH with—

(a) a trueness not less than 0.2 of a pH unit, and

(b) a precision not less than 0.2 of a pH unit.

(3) “Precision” is the same for the purposes of this paragraph, and the table in Section 5, as it is in paragraph 20(2).

(4) “Limit of detection” is the same for the purposes of this paragraph, and the table in Section 5, as it is in paragraph 20(3).]