Standard Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis

1.1 This practice provides specific, mandatory requirements for incorporating quality control (QC) procedures into all test methods under the jurisdiction of committee D19.

1.2 Required QC sections in all applicable test methods are intended to achieve two goals. First, users of Committee D19 test methods will be able to demonstrate a minimum competency in the performance of these test methods by comparison with collaborative study data. Second, all users of test methods will be required to perform a minimum level of QC as part of proper implementation of these test methods to ensure ongoing competency.

1.3 This practice contains the primary requirements for QC of a specific test method. In many cases, it may be desirable to implement additional QC requirements to assure the desired quality of data.

1.4 The specific requirements in this practice may not be applicable to all test methods. These requirements may vary depending on the type of test method used as well as the analyte being determined and the sample matrix being analyzed. See Explanation 1 in Appendix X1.

1.5 This practice is for use with quantitative methods and may not be applicable to qualitative test methods.

1.6 Presently, this practice is applicable primarily to chemical test methods. It is intended that, in future revisions, the practice will be expanded to include other methods such as microbiological methods.