Interlaboratory comparisons to demonstrate the competence of two similar mobile laboratories

Abstract

In order to maintain the RENAR (Romanian Accreditation Association) accreditation, each accredited laboratory must periodically participate in interlaboratory testing programs carried out with specialized providers or similar laboratories. In December 2021, an interlaboratory comparison in the field of environmental protection was organized by INCD ISEMEX PETROȘANI. The current paper examines the similarity of results of two auto-laboratories, in similar sampling points to demonstrate the competence of accredited laboratories. During the interlaboratory test session, immission measurements (nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen monoxide, carbon monoxide and sulphur dioxide), ambient noise measurements and determination of suspended dust concentration were performed. The main objective of the interlaboratory tests is to comply with limits established by the bilateral testing protocol, and all these results can be processed and achieved in situ due to systems endowing the auto-laboratories, which integrate all the measurements performed in situ. Results of the study indicate very close values found by the two mobile laboratories, which leads to the performance requirement for all components analysed, namely coefficients of variation below 20%.