Standard Guide for Optimizing, Controlling and Reporting Test Method Uncertainties from Multiple Workstations in the Same Laboratory Organization

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Many analytical laboratories comply with accepted quality system requirements such as NELAC chapter 5 (see Note 2) and ISO 17025. When using standard test methods, their test results on the same sample should agree with those from other similar laboratories within the reproducibility estimates (R2) published in the standard. Reproducibility estimates are generated during the standardization process as part of the interlaboratory studies (ILS). Many laboratories participate in proficiency tests to confirm that they perform consistently over time. In both ILS and proficiency testing protocols, it is generally assumed that only one workstation is used to generate the data (see 6.5.1).
Note 2—NELAC chapter 5 allows the use of a Work Cell where multiple instruments/operators are treated as one unit: the performance of the Work Cell is tracked rather than each workstation independently. This guide is intended to go beyond the Work Cell to achieve the benefits of monitoring workstations independently.
Many laboratories have workloads and/or logistical requirements that dictate the use of multiple workstations. Some have multiple stations in the same area (central laboratory format). Others' stations are scattered throughout a facility (at-line laboratory format). Often, analysis reports do not identify the workstation used for the testing, even if workstations differ in their testing uncertainties. Problems can arise if clients mistakenly attribute variation in report values to process rather then workstation variability. These problems can be minimized if the laboratory organization sets, complies with, and reports a unified set of measurement quality objectives throughout.
This guide can be used to harmonize calibration and control protocols for all workstations, thereby providing the same level of measurement traceability and control. It streamlines documentation and training requirements, thereby facilitating flexibility in personnel assignments. Finally, it off...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide describes a protocol for optimizing, controlling, and reporting test method uncertainties from multiple workstations in the same laboratory organization. It does not apply when different test methods, dissimilar instruments, or different parts of the same laboratory organization function independently to validate or verify the accuracy of a specific analytical measurement.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory requirements prior to use.

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ASTM D6689-01(2011) - Standard Guide for Optimizing, Controlling and Reporting Test Method Uncertainties from Multiple Workstations in the Same Laboratory Organization
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D6689 − 01 (Reapproved 2011)
Standard Guide for
Optimizing, Controlling and Reporting Test Method
Uncertainties from Multiple Workstations in the Same
1
Laboratory Organization
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6689; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.2 Other Documents:
ISO 17025 (previously ISO Guide 25) General Require-
1.1 This guide describes a protocol for optimizing,
ments for the Competence of Calibration and Testing
controlling, and reporting test method uncertainties from mul-
3
Laboratories
tiple workstations in the same laboratory organization. It does
not apply when different test methods, dissimilar instruments,
3. Terminology
or different parts of the same laboratory organization function
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this Guide,
independently to validate or verify the accuracy of a specific
refer to Terminology E135 and D1129.
analytical measurement.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.2.1 laboratory organization—a business entity that pro-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
vides similar types of measurements from more than one
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
workstation located in one or more laboratories, all of which
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
operate under the same quality system.
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use.
NOTE1—KeyaspectsofaqualitysystemarecoveredinISO17025and
2. Referenced Documents include documenting procedures, application of statistical control to
measurement processes and participation in proficiency testing.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.2.2 maximum deviation—the maximum error associated
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
with a report value, at a specified confidence level, for a given
D6091 Practice for 99 %/95 % Interlaboratory Detection
concentration of a given element, determined by a specific
Estimate (IDE) for Analytical Methods with Negligible
method, throughout a laboratory organization.
Calibration Error
3.2.3 measurement quality objectives—a model used by the
D6512 Practice for Interlaboratory Quantitation Estimate
laboratory organization to specify the maximum error associ-
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
ated with a report value, at a specified confidence level.
Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
E415 Test Method for Analysis of Carbon and Low-Alloy
3.2.4 workstation—a combination of people and equipment
Steel by Spark Atomic Emission Spectrometry
that executes a specific test method using a single specified
E1763 Guide for Interpretation and Use of Results from
measuring device to quantify one or more parameters, with
Interlaboratory Testing of Chemical Analysis Methods
each report value having an established estimated uncertainty
STP 15D ASTM Manual on Presentation of Data and
that complies with the measurement quality objectives of the
Control Chart Analysis, Prepared by Committee E11 on
laboratory organization.
Statistical Methods
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Many analytical laboratories comply with accepted
1 quality system requirements such as NELAC chapter 5 (see
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D19 on Water and is
thedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD19.02onQualitySystems,Specification, Note 2) and ISO 17025. When using standard test methods,
and Statistics.
their test results on the same sample should agree with those
Current edition approved May 1, 2011. Published June 2011. Originally
from other similar laboratories within the reproducibility
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as D6689 – 01 (2006).
estimates (R2) published in the standard. Reproducibility
DOI: 10.1520/D6689-01R11.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
the ASTM website. 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D6689 − 01 (2011)
estimates are generated during the standardization process as generating large volumes of data from carefully harmonized,
part of the interlaboratory studies (ILS). Many laboratories but incorrectly calibrat
...

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