Online

Course on Validation of Chemical Methods for Residue Analysis

Analytical laboratories that perform chemical analysis on veterinary drugs, mycotoxins and pesticides need to demonstrate that their methods are fit for purpose. In this online course, you will learn step by step to draft a validation plan for your own validation case. This includes the construction of a validation plan, the design of experiments, the assessment of analytical data and the preparation of a validation report.

Organised by Wageningen Academy
Duration 8 weeks / 6 hrs/week

Registration is not open for this programme. You can already show your interest.

The practical information on this webpage refers to the 2024 edition.

Why follow this course?

Multiple validation approaches exist (e.g. Commission Implementing Regulation EU 2021/808, SANTE/11312/2021, CODEX CAC/GL 71-2009) and it is often unclear how to implement these and how to come to a practical set-up of experiments. In this course, you will learn the theoretical background on the validation of quantitative confirmatory methods and how to select and execute a cost-effective validation approach based on a practical validation plan. The training will briefly discuss all three approaches and then zoom in on EU2021/808.

All participants in this course are invited to bring their own validation case study to apply all newly gained knowledge to their own laboratory practice. Preconstructed case studies are available in case you can’t bring your own. After successfully attending the online course, you will:

  • Understand the phases to go through for a fit for purpose validation
  • Be able to determine the relevant validation parameters
  • Have a good understanding of the meaning of trueness, precision, CCα and CCß
  • Be able to determine measurement uncertainty
  • Be able to construct and execute a validation plan
  • Have hands-on experience with the evaluation of the analytical data
  • Be able to prepare a validation report
  • Have applied all this knowledge in your own validation plan
Participant in 2023
What sets this course apart is the practical exercise of the guidelines and theory. For example, the CCα and CCß approaches, I found a bit challenging at first. But afterwards I grew to appreciate them as a very reasonable and elegant solution for enforcement purposes.
Josipa Grzetic Martens, project leader and research scientist at WFSR

Is this course for you?

Professionals with a technical background in industry, in governmental, commercial or academic laboratories in the area of food and feed safety residue analysis. At least a BSc or comparable is required in a relevant field. In addition, work experience of at least 2 years is required in the field of chemical analysis of residues.

Programme & topics

Within 40 to 60 hours, spread over 8 weeks, this course will guide you through the field of validation of chemical methods for residue analysis. The kick-off will take place in week one and will be live online – so virtual, with real-time interaction. Onwards, you will have access to the online learning environment BrightSpace, with learning materials to study in your own time and place. Keep in mind 75% of your time will be self-paced online learning on BrightSpace.

Structured in 7 modules, the following topics will be discussed:

  • Introduction to the course
  • Fundamentals - qualitative versus quantitative methods, performance characteristics and measurement uncertainty
  • Design - selecting performance characteristics, minimum requirements, design of experiments
  • Data evaluation – calculations and application
  • Reporting – outcome assessment, validation report
  • Other validation procedures – ongoing method validation, screening method, verification and extension
  • Closure of the course

What to expect learning online? You will:

  • watch knowledge clips and read information
  • further extend your comprehension and self-assess by joining small quizzes
  • share experiences and questions in a forum with your peers
  • define and reflect on your learning goals
  • have questions answered during the virtual classrooms
  • meet and discuss group assignments during live sessions with your peers
  • apply new content on your validation case and daily work
  • prepare your own validation report

Each virtual classroom will be recorded and made available on the online learning environment to watch afterwards. Besides learning online and self-paced, we have scheduled 6 virtual classrooms (live online), with the course leader and experts. Please find the dates of the 5 virtual classrooms in our course flyer which can be downloaded on this course page. For a full overview of the schedule, topics and speakers download the flyer.

Practical information

The course fee is € 1,495,- per person and gives you 4 months access to the course content.

More information & registration

Register for Validation of Chemical Methods for Residue Analysis or download the flyer.