Shellfish toxins - WEPAL-QUASIMEME

Proficiency tests

Participation in the shellfish toxins programmes (BT) is open to all laboratories. The type of sample is tissue from shellfish, e.g. blue mussels, oysters, scallops, cockles and mussels. The normal validated methods and procedures of each laboratory should be used to analyse the test materials. Laboratories are requested to fill in method information codes (MIC) for each determinand. This allows laboratories to review the range and similarity of the methodologies used.

General information

• Shellfish test materials are collected from contaminated coastal sites like the North Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Ocean.
• Depending on the type of exercise, shellfish samples are prepared from e.g. mussel, oyster, scallop, clam, or cockle tissue.
• Shellfish toxin samples are either natural contaminated or mixed with contaminated shellfish tissue where relevant.
• Shellfish tissue samples contain ± 5 gram of homogenized tissue. Occasionally, extracts of shellfish tissue are distributed when relevant.
• Shellfish tissue samples are autoclaved and are stable over a number of years when stored in the freezer.
• Shellfish tissue samples are dispatched under cooled conditions.
• Reportscontain all data reported under strict confidentiality, including Z-score plots and method information of the methods used.

Determinands

The list below shows the typical determinand groups and determinands for the Shellfish toxins programme. For a list of determinands which are under the scope of accreditation please check here.

Reference materials

Samples of previous proficiency tests are sold as reference materials. Available materials can be selected and ordered in our webshop. In our webshop it is also possible to request a quotation. Participants of our proficiency tests are entitled to a discount.