QUALITY ASSURANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL OF A SOIL
TESTING LABORATORY
Yuan-Wu Chen
Fourth Division, Environmental Analysis Laboratory (EAL), Environmental Protection
Administration (EPA), Zhongli District, Taoyuan City, Taiwan
E-mail: ywchen@epa.gov.tw
ABSTRACT
Aiming for better environmental quality, Taiwan EPA launched in August 1987 and set a milestone in
Taiwan’s environmental protection efforts. The Environmental Analysis Laboratory (EAL) established
on January 10, 1990 to provide policymakers environmental data required. To enhance the credibility
in quality assurance in environmental analysis, EAL participates actively in international laboratory
accreditation. It received first laboratory accreditation from NATA (National Association of Testing
Authorities, Australia) on January 31, 1995. The grand opening of the National Environment Analysis
Building in November 1998 was a noteworthy milestone that signaled a new era of environmental
testing and research. "Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Act" was officially announced by
the President on Feb 2, 2000. Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Fund Management Board
established in November 2001 based on the Act for management of the fund and conducting works for
the promotion of soil and groundwater pollution remediation and prevention. Through several revision
corrections, the current version of the Act contains 8 chapters and 57 articles. EPA of Taiwan
government also promulgated relevant soil pollution control standards in 2001 in accordance with
Article 6 of this Act. And according to Article 10 of this Act, the methods and quality control guidelines
for soil contaminants analysis shall be determined by the EAL, and the EAL will also be in charge of
granting accreditation to environmental analysis laboratories. Based on these statutory responsibilities,
the EAL has published 91 soil standard testing methods, 8 relevant quality assurance guidelines and
with ISO /IEC 17025 granting accreditation to 48 soil environmental testing laboratories. Laboratory
quality manual of EAL also strictly followed this standard method, QA/QC guidelines and ISO /IEC
17025. We have made a briefing on some essential QA/QC requirements relevant to soil analysis. We
wish to share and exchange our experiences with all experts in agricultural soil analysis laboratories
participating in this seminar.
Keywords: QA/QC, soil testing laboratory
INTRODUCTION
Aiming at better environmental quality, Taiwan EPA was launched in August 1987 and set a milestone
in Taiwan’s environmental protection efforts. Environmental analysis is by all means the cornerstone of
environmental policymaking. The formulation and execution of policies, regulations, and standards will
rely on the basis of accurate data. Effective environmental protection policies cannot be formulated
without precise and reliable environmental analysis results. High quality environmental analyses are
critical for all aspects of environmental protection work. The Environmental Analysis Laboratory (EAL)
was established on January 10, 1990 to provide policymakers with the environmental data required.
EAL is divided into five divisions that cover tasks including (1) analysis planning and
administration, (2) air and physical analysis, (3) inorganic analysis, (4) organic and ultra-trace analysis,
(5) environmental biological analysis. Under the outstanding leadership of those pioneer directors of
the institute, all staff members are dedicated to the improvement of environmental analysis technology,
development of standard methods, upgrading of the quality of environmental analysis data. It will
provide environmental laboratories from various sectors with technical guidance. Meanwhile, it is also
a national level environmental analysis lab that is responsible for setting up environmental analysis
standards. To enhance the credibility in quality assurance in environmental analysis, EAL participates
actively in international laboratory accreditation. It received its first laboratory accreditation from
NATA (National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia) on January 31, 1995. The grand opening
of the National Environment Analysis Building in November 1998 was a noteworthy milestone that
signaled a new era of environmental testing and research. EAL is engaged in enhancing its intimate
cooperation with academic research institutes for improving efficiency and techniques. Enhancing our
capacities in environmental analysis have been and will be always one of EAL’s major thrusts.
Taiwan has encountered continual issues of soil and groundwater pollution since 1981 due to
illegal disposal of industrial wastewater, wastes and emissions of air pollution. Several well-known
cases such as those of Taiwan Petrochemical Development Corporation (TPDC), Coin Chemical
Industrial Co., Ltd., Jili Chemical Corp., RCA, and numerous illegal waste disposal sites throughout
the island have become the headlines in the past years. To address the issue of soil and groundwater
pollution, the Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) embarked on establishing relevant
regulations. After years of study and debate, "Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Act" was
officially announced by the President on Feb 2, 2000. Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation
Fund Management Board was established in November 2001 based on the Act for management of the
fund and conducting works for promotion of soil and groundwater pollution remediation and
prevention. Through several revisions, the current version of the Act contains 8 chapters and 57
articles.
EPA of Taiwan government also promulgated relevant soil pollution control standards in 2001 in
accordance with Article 6 of this Act as shown in Table 1. Based on Article 10 of this Act, all methods
and quality control guidelines for soil, sediment and groundwater contaminants analysis shall be
established by the administration department in the central government, which implies the current
status and responsibility of EAL. Also it is required that in the proceeding of all kinds of investigation
or remediation works on bottom sediment, and groundwater pollution, all kinds of the analysis of soil
and groundwater pollution are necessary to be provided or submitted and have to be contracted by labs
approved by authorized department of the central government except when approved by the central
competent authority. EAL is the department that is in charge of issuing permission licenses of
contracted labs.
Currently, EAL is responsible for setting up relevant soil standard testing methods and relevant
quality assurance guideline. Also it will implement accreditation to all environmental testing
laboratories following the international guideline ISO /IEC 17025 based on the statutory authorization
of relevant acts.
Table 1. Soil pollution control standards in Taiwan
Category
Target pollutant
Regulated criteria
arsenic（As）
60 mg／kg
cadmium（Cd）
chromium（Cr）
copper（Cu）
Heavy metal
mercury（Hg）
nickel（Ni）
400 mg／kg
200 mg／kg（Edible crop
farmland）
20 mg／kg
5 mg／kg（Edible crop
farmland）
200 mg／kg
Benzene
2000 mg／kg
500 mg／kg（Edible crop
farmland）
2000 mg／kg
600 mg／kg（Edible crop
farmland）
5 mg／kg
Carbon tetrachloride
5 mg／kg
lead（Pb）
zinc（Zn）
Organic compound
20 mg／kg
5 mg／kg（Edible crop
farmland）
250 mg／kg
Category
Target pollutant
Regulated criteria
Chloroform
1,2-Dichloroethane
100 mg／kg
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene
50 mg／kg
1,2-Dichloropropane
1,2-Dichlorobenzene
0.5 mg／kg
100 mg／kg
1,3-Dichlorobenzene
3,3＇-Dichlorobenzidine
100 mg／kg
2 mg／kg
Ethylbenzene
250 mg／kg
500 mg／kg
Hexachlorobenzene
Pentachlorophenol
Tetrachloroethylene
Toluene
Total petroleum hydrocarbons（TPH）
Trichloroethylene
2,4,5-Trichlorophenol
Other organic
compound
200 mg／kg
10 mg／kg
500 mg／kg
1000 mg／kg
60 mg／kg
350 mg／kg
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
Vinyl chloride
40 mg／kg
10 mg／kg
Xylenes
500 mg／kg
0.04 mg／kg
Aldrin
Chlordane
Pesticide
8 mg／kg
7 mg／kg
0.5 mg／kg
3 mg／kg
4,4'-Dichlorodiphenyl-triichloroethane(DDT)
Dieldrin
0.04 mg／kg
Endrin
Heptachlor
20 mg／kg
0.2 mg／kg
Toxaphene
Endosulfan
0.6 mg／kg
60 mg／kg
Dioxins(PCDD/Fs)
1000 ng-TEQ/kg
Polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs)
0.09 mg／kg
SOIL STANDARD METHODS OF TAIWAN EPA
Based on the nature of the pollutants, standard methods of Taiwan EPA are classified into 10 categories
as follows: noise testing, analysis of air, water, drinking water, soil, sediment, wastes, environmental
agents, toxic chemicals, and biological testing. EAL has established 604 standard environmental
methods up to now. Ninety-one (91) of the standard methods are relevant to soil sample analysis as
shown in Table 2. EAL, laboratories of local environmental bureau and all accredited laboratories must
follow these standard methods so as to ensure a consistent data quality.
Table 2. Standard Methods of Taiwan EPA
category
Numbers of Standard Method
Air Analysis Methods:
Wastes Analysis Methods:
Soil Analysis Methods:
Wastes/Soil Common Methods:
Drinking Water Treatment Agent Methods:
Water Quality Analysis Methods:
Toxic Chemicals Analysis Methods:
Environmental Agents Analysis Methods:
Environmental Bioanalytical Methods:
153
66
25
66
25
167
35
14
53
Total Numbers of Standard Method
604
Soil control pollutant corresponding standard method
Among the 91 soil relevant methods established by the EAL, those which are related to the regulated
target pollutants have been used most frequently. One of the major causes is that both EPA and local
government pay more attention on the environmental survey, monitoring and inspection on these
pollutants. The liable pollution producer of those controlled sites also needs to contract the authorized
environmental analysis laboratory to analyze these targeted pollutants. Therefore, standard methods
relevant to regulated target pollutants usually have good economic incentives in Taiwan. These
methods are listed including their method numbers as shown in Table 3.
Table 3. Soil target pollutant corresponding standard method
Category
Target pollutant
Standard method
Pb、Cd、Cu、Cr、Zn、Ni
Aqua regia digestion method (NIEA
S321.64B)
Microwave assisted aqua regia digestion
method (NIEA S301.60B)/
Flame atomic absorption
spectrophotometry method (NIEA
M111.01C)
Inductively coupled plasma-atomic
emission spectrometry method (NIEA
M104.02C)
Inductively coupled plasma - mass
spectrometry method (NIEA M105.01B)
As
hydrogen arsenite atomic absorption
spectrometric method (NIEA S310.64B)
Heavy metal
Hg
Mercury by cold vapor atomic absorption
spectrophotometry method(NIEA
M317.03B)
Mercury by thermal decomposition,
amalgamation,and atomic absorption
Category
Target pollutant
Standard method
spectrophotometry Method (NIEA
M318.01B)
Volatile organic
compounds
(VOCs)
Semi-volatile
organic
compounds
(SVOCs)
Benzene、Carbon tetrachloride、
Chloroform、1,2-Dichloroethane、
cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene、
trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene、
1,2-Dichloropropane、
1,2-Dichlorobenzene、
1,3-Dichlorobenzene、
Ethylbenzene、Toluene、
Tetrachloroethylene、
Trichloroethylene、Vinyl chloride、
Xylenes
Closed-system purge-and-trap and
extraction for volatile organics method
(NIEA M155.01C)
Volatile organic compounds using
equilibrium headspace analysis method
(NIEA M157.00C)/
Volatile organic compounds by gas
chromatography/mass spectrometry
(GC/MS) method (NIEA M711.04C)
3,3＇-Dichlorobenzidine、
Hexachlorobenzene、
Pentachlorophenol、
2,4,5-Trichlorophenol、
2,4,6-Trichlorophenol
Ultrasonic extraction method (NIEA
M167.01C)
Soxhlet extraction method (NIEA
M165.01C) /
Semivolatile organic compounds by gas
chromatography/mass spectrometry
(GC/MS): Method (NIEA M731.02C)
C6-C9
Closed-system purge-and-trap and
extraction for volatile organics method
(NIEA M155.01C)
Volatile organic compounds using
equilibrium headspace analysis method
(NIEA M157.00C) /
Total petroleum hydrocarbons by gas
chromatography/flame ionization detector
(GC/FID)method (NIEA S703.62B)
C10-C40
Ultrasonic extraction method (NIEA
M167.01C)
Soxhlet extraction method (NIEA
M165.01C)/
chromatography/flame ionization detector
(GC/FID)method (NIEA S703.62B)
Total petroleum
hydrocarbons
(TPH）
Organochlorine
pesticides
(OCPs)
Aldrin、Chlordane、
4,4'-Dichlorodiphenyl-triichloroeth
ane(DDT)、Dieldrin、Endrin、
Heptachlor、Toxaphene、
Endosulfan
other organic
compound
Dioxins(PCDD/Fs)
Ultrasonic extraction method (NIEA
M167.01C)
Soxhlet extraction method (NIEA M165.01C)
Silica gel cleanup method (NIEA
M183.01C)/
Organochlorine pesticides by gas
chromatography method (NIEA M618.05C)
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and
dibenzofurans by high-resolution gas
chromatography/high-resolution mass
spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS) method (NIEA
M801.13B)
Category
Target pollutant
Standard method
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and
dibenzofurans by gas
chromatography/tandam mass
spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method (NIEA
M805.00B)
other organic
compound
Polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs)
Ultrasonic extraction method (NIEA
M167.01C)
Soxhlet extraction. method (NIEA
M165.01C)
Silica gel cleanup method (NIEA
M183.01C)/
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by gas
chromatography method (NIEA M619.04C)
ACCREDITATION PROCESS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS LABORATORIES
EAL has been engaged in the accreditation of environmental analysis laboratories since 1987. With a
view to increasing the transparency of the accreditation procedure, EAL issued the "Guideline for the
Authorization and Management of Environmental Analysis Laboratories" in 1990. It has been revised
and amended several times since then. On November 19, 1997 it is revised as the latest version known
as "Management regulations of Environmental Analysis Laboratories". Also series of basic criteria for
the environmental analysis laboratory's QA system has been formulated according to ISO/IEC 17025
international standards.
The accredited laboratories contribute to the environmental analysis of Taiwan to a great extent.
There are currently 99 accredited laboratories with more than 3,200 employees that account for more
than 90% of lab employees in Taiwan. In terms of the number of analyzed samples, accredited
laboratories also account for more than 85 % of all tested samples.
Figure 1 shows the chronology of the number of environmental analysis laboratories accredited
by the EAL. Figure 2 shows the current category statistics of accredited environmental analysis
laboratories, including 48 soil laboratories.
Fig. 1. Chronology
hronology of the number of environmental analysis laboratories
labor
accredited by the EAL
Fig. 2. Current
urrent category statistics of accredited environmental analysis laborator
laboratories
ESSENTIAL QA/QC REQUIREMENTS IN SOIL ANALYSIS
Quality control implies the implementation of monitoring and testing process under regulated criteria.
Quality control for the soil testing will follow each specific testing method and eight QA/QC guidelines
formulated by EAL. QA/QC guidelines are listed as shown in Table 4. EAL’s Laboratory Quality
Manual abides to relevant standard methods, QA/QC guidelines and ISO /IEC 17025. We will brief
some of the essential QA/QC requirements in the EAL laboratory regarding soil analysis as following:
Preparation of calibration curves
When an analytic instrument is used, standard solutions or standard gases in proper concentrations shall
be introduced into that instrument to produce response signals before the analysis of real samples. Plot
of the response signals vs. the amounts or concentrations of the standards is the so called calibration
curve. In general, the concentration of the determined in a sample needs to be adjusted into the
concentration range of the calibration curve to be accurately analyzed.
Linear calibration curve pass the origin of coordinates:
Calculate calibration factors (CF) or response factors (RF), and their mean value and relative standard
deviation for various concentrations of the standards used to establish the calibration scope according
to the test method. Unless otherwise required of specified standard method, it is assumed that a linear
relationship will apply for the calibration curve and the curve will pass through the origin of
coordinates if the relative standard deviation of CFs or RFs is not greater than 20%. Average of CFs or
RFs will be used to determine the concentration of the sample.
Linear calibration curve does not pass the origin of coordinates:
Linear regression is made between the instrument response signals and relative concentrations of the
standard to establish a calibration curve with a slope and intercept. Linear correlation coefficient for the
linear regression is calculated accordingly. The calibration curve must be redone or tried to be set up as
a calibration curve in separated concentration range if the linear correlation coefficient is beyond
acceptable criteria.
Calibration check
After the completion of the calibration curve, one needs to check another standard sample solution with
a concentration near the mid-range supplied from different sources other than that used to prepare the
calibration curve to verify the applicability of the calibration curve. The concentration of that standard
obtained from the calibration curve is compared with the known preparation concentration, and a
relative error is then calculated out. The appropriateness of a calibration curve is decided according to
the following principles or the requirements of individual test method:
Unless otherwise requirement of specified standard method, the laboratory can use this
calibration curve for testing if the relative error of electrode method falls within ± 15%；colorimetric
（spectrophotometric） method, ±10%；ion chromatography, ±15%；flame ＆ graphite atomic
absorption spectrometric methods, ± 10%；cold vapor ＆ hydrogen arsenite atomic absorption
spectrometric methods, ±20%；inductively couple plasma atomic emission spectrometric method
（ICP/AES）＆ Inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry method (ICP/MS), ±10%；gas and
liquid chromatographic methods, ±15% and GC/MS methods, ±20%.
When the relative error is outside acceptable limits, test that verification standard again. If the
retest result is still out of acceptable limits, the standards used for establishing calibration curve shall be
prepared again for the establishment of another new one.
Determination of instrument detection limit and method detection limit
For any newly purchased instrument, it is advisable to request the supplier to determine the instrument
detection limit, and relevant records kept on file for future reference.
If practicable, it is recommended to review the method detection limits (MDL) every year for
those test methods frequently used, and determine their MDLs again every two years at least.
Blank sample analysis
A field blank sample, trip blank sample or equipment blank sample is analyzed to confirm that the
samples are not contaminated during collection and transportation to the laboratory. A method blank
sample is prepared in the laboratory and analyzed to confirm the absence of contamination of the
samples in the course of testing. Results of blank sample analyses should not be over two times the
MDL values, 5﹪of the regulatory compliance limits or the assigned values of test methods, but the
responses of blank samples of microbiological testing should be non-detectable.
Duplicate sample analysis
If applicable, duplicate sample analysis shall be carried out to assess the testing precision. Samples for
duplicate analysis should be quantitatively detectable. If the sample is not quantitatively detectable,
spike samples or QC check samples may be doubly tested. The results of duplicate sample analysis will
define the precision in terms of the Relative Percent Difference (RPD). The RPD should be plotted on
control charts for the precision control.
Spike sample analysis
A spike sample analysis is used to check whether the matrix interference is within the acceptable range
or not. Upon carrying out a spike sample analysis, the testing operator shall spike the sample in small
volume of standard with high concentration to avoid a significant change to the original sample matrix
and may determine the amount spiked in a test sample based on the following principles:
1. To spike the amount about one to five times the concentration of the target analyte in that
sample.
2. If the concentration of the target analyte in the sample is completely unpredictable, the spiked
amount could be one to five times the background concentration of the target analyte in the
field.
3. For the samples taken from pollution areas, the spike amount could be the regulatory
compliance limit, half the regulatory compliance limit or that close to the midpoint
concentration of calibration curve of the target analyte.
The test result of the spike sample versus the theoretical spike recovery is used to calculate the
accuracy as defined by the percent recovery. With the above spiking principles, the factor of improper
spike, which might affect the recovery, should be taken into account in the evaluation of recovery.
Quality control check sample analysis
If applicable, each test division shall either purchase or prepare quality control check samples of proper
concentration and carry out their analyses together with each batch of samples to evaluating the
accuracy of testing. Except required otherwise in the test method, a quality control check sample is
generally prepared with the concentration of about the mid-point of the calibration curve.
Assessment of control chart
Enter test results of quality control samples into LIMS, laboratory information management system, of
the EAL for automated plotting of the results into the annually updated various control charts. Properly
planned actions shall be taken to prevent incorrect results from being reported in case any of the
following events is observed:
1. When the test result of any quality control sample falls beyond lower or upper control limit,
the testing for that item shall be immediately suspended until this event is investigated and
corrective actions are taken as specified. After finishing the corrective actions, the identity
number of the corrective action record sheet would be better recorded on the analyst
worksheet to facilitate tracing of the event.
2. When the test results of quality control samples fall between the warning and control limits at
the same side of the control chart for two consecutive times, the testing for that item shall be
immediately suspended until this event is investigated and corrective actions are taken as
specified.
3. When the test results of quality control samples ascend or descend continuously on the control
chart for six consecutive times excluding the turning point, the latest batch of test samples
should be reanalyzed. If the test result of the quality control sample in the batch reanalyzed
falls less than one standard deviation from the mean of the control chart, or changes the
direction of ascension or descent, the testing for that item can be continued to carry out.
Otherwise, the testing for that item shall be immediately suspended until this event is
investigated and corrective actions are taken as specified.
4. When the test results of quality control check samples fall at the same side of the control chart
for seven consecutive times, the testing for that item shall be immediately suspended until this
event is investigated and corrective actions are taken as specified.
In the presence of a certain correlation among different test items of the same sample, the
rationality between test results shall be assessed and analyzed for effectively monitoring on testing data
quality.
Performance audit
Performance audit is to evaluate and ensure the testing competence of a laboratory by the way of
analyzing internal performance evaluation samples or participating in external inter-laboratory
proficiency tests. Whenever applicable, each test division shall periodically participate in overseas
proficiency test programs.
In case of any testing abnormality identified in the performance audit, the chief or signatory of
the relevant division shall initiate a corrective actions record sheet and direct relevant persons to carry
out corrective actions. If required, the testing operator may analyze another internal PE Sample for
verification as soon as the corrective actions are completed.
Internal audit
Internal audit relates to checking and assessing testing related activities of each division according to
Quality Manual, standard operating procedures and other quality assurance related document to
confirm its continuous compliance with the requirements of quality management system. An audit of
whole management system shall be carried out at least once each year.
Each year, the Executive Officer of internal audit group shall draft the annual internal audit
program, which states purpose, auditors, scope, and procedures of audit and preservation of audit
records, to be reviewed and resolved in Quality Assurance Team meeting for sequent implementation.
Auditors selected from our institute are responsible for carrying out annual internal audits. External
specialists could also be invited to help audit, if necessary. The chief（or signatory）, Division Quality
Assurance officer and relevant personnel of the division audited should be present during the audit.
Annual internal audits shall be carried out according to Internal Audit Record Sheet. Auditors are
responsible for recording defects, deviations and other findings, and preparing the Internal Audit
Report. The chief, signatories or QA officer of the division audited shall complete Internal Audit
Registration Record and produce Corrective Action Record to monitor and follow up the corrective
action taken for those defects or deviations immediately or within a specified time. The defects or
deviations of the division audited that might affect the correctness of the testing results shall be further
notified to the applicants.
Major essential QA/QC requirements of the EAL laboratory in soil analysis is shown as Table 5.
Table4. Eight QA/QC guidelines formulated by the EAL
QA/QC guidelines
General Rules of Quality Control Guidelines for Environmental
Analysis
Guidelines of Sampling and Preservation Process for Environmental
samples
Guidelines of Calibration Curve Preparation and Checkup for
Environmental Analysis
Quality Control Implementation Guidelines for Environmental Analysis
Guidelines of Quality Control Chart Establishment for Environmental
Guideline number
NIEA-PA101
NIEA-PA102
NIEA-PA103
NIEA-PA104
NIEA-PA105
QA/QC guidelines
Guideline number
Analysis
Guidelines of Laboratory Ware Cleaning and Calibration for
Environmental Analysis
Guidelines of Method Detection Limit Establishment for
Environmental Analysis
Guidelines of Instrument Calibration and Maintenance for
Environmental Analysis
NIEA-PA106
NIEA-PA107
NIEA-PA108
Table5. Major essential QA/QC requirements of the EAL laboratory in soil analysis
QA/QC requirement
Analytical
method
Preparation
of
Calibration
Curves
Calibration
check
Blank
sample
Duplicate
sample
QC Check
Sample
Spike
sample
GC method
GC/MS method
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
AA method
○
○
○
○
○
○
ICP-AES method
HRGC/HRMS
method
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
○
×
○
×
Note: "○" is necessary, and "×" i is not necessary.
CONCLUSION
"Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Act" was officially announced on Feb 2, 2000 in Taiwan.
EPA Taiwan established the Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Fund Management Board in
November 2001 in accordance with the Act. Based on Article 6 of this Act, soil pollution control
standards are issued in 2001. According to Article 10 of the Act, methods and quality control guidelines
for soil contaminants analysis are determined by EAL. EAL is also responsible for the accreditation of
environmental analysis laboratories. Based on these statutory responsibilities, EAL has issued 91 soil
standard testing methods, 8 relevant quality assurance guidelines and granted accreditation to 48 soil
environmental testing laboratories following ISO /IEC 17025 guideline. Laboratory quality manual of
EAL also strictly follow these standard methods, QA/QC guidelines and ISO /IEC 17025. We have
made a briefing on some essential QA/QC requirements relevant in soil analysis. We wish to share and
exchange our experiences with all experts of agricultural soil analysis laboratories participating in this
seminar. EAL is the authorized department in environmental analysis for the central Government in
Taiwan and also a NATA-accredited laboratory. It will review its management system simultaneously
with international accreditation standards. We also update all the NATA Accreditation Requirements,
internal management practical need and keep make sure to fulfill relevant environmental regulations.
We have completed the revision and issuing for related contents in our latest version of Quality Manual.
All staff members in EAL, including the management level and every personnel related to analytical
works will use the latest version of Quality Manual to carry out all testing works and follow relevant
QA/QC requirements. We will do all effort to assure and promote data quality and follow the latest
version of ISO/IEC 17025 international standard and meet government environmental regulation.
REFERENCES
http://www.niea.gov.tw
https://sgw.epa.gov.tw/public/
Taiwan EPA, Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Act, 2010.
Taiwan EPA, Soil pollution control standards in Taiwan, 2011
Taiwan EPA, Management regulations of Environmental Analysis Laboratories, 2015
Taiwan EPA, Aqua regia digestion method (NIEA S321.64B), 2015.
Taiwan EPA, Microwave assisted aqua regia digestion method (NIEA S301.60B), 2015.
Taiwan EPA, Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry method (NIEA M111.01C), 2012.
Taiwan EPA, Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry method (NIEA M104.02C),
2013.
Taiwan EPA, Inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry method (NIEA M105.01B), 2013.
Taiwan EPA, hydrogen arsenite atomic absorption spectrometric method (NIEA S310.64B), 2012.
Taiwan EPA, Mercury by thermal decomposition, amalgamation, and atomic absorption
spectrophotometry Method (NIEA M318.01C), 2012
Taiwan EPA, Mercury by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry method (NIEA M317.03B),
2016.
Taiwan EPA, Closed-system purge-and-trap and extraction for volatile organics method (NIEA
M155.01C), 2013.
Taiwan EPA, Volatile organic compounds using equilibrium headspace analysis method (NIEA
M157.00C), 2016.
Taiwan EPA, Volatile organic compounds by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) method
(NIEA M711.04C), 2018.
Taiwan EPA, Ultrasonic extraction method (NIEA M167.01C), 2012.
Taiwan EPA, Soxhlet extraction method (NIEA M165.01C), 2016.
Taiwan EPA, Semivolatile organic compounds by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS):
Method (NIEA M731.02C), 2017.
Taiwan EPA, Total petroleum hydrocarbons by gas chromatography/flame ionization detector (GC/FID)
method (NIEA S703.62B), 2013.
Taiwan EPA, Silica gel cleanup method (NIEA M183.01C), 2012.
Taiwan EPA, Organochlorine pesticides by gas chromatography method (NIEA M618.05C), 2016.
Taiwan EPA, Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans by high-resolution gas
chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS) method (NIEA M801.13B),
2013.
Taiwan EPA, Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans by gas chromatography/tandam
mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS) method (NIEA M805.00B), 2017.
Taiwan EPA, Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) by gas chromatography method (NIEA M619.04C),
2017.
Taiwan EPA, General Rules of Quality Control Guidelines for Environmental Analysis -NIEA-PA101,
2004
Taiwan EPA, Guidelines of Sampling and Preservation Process for Environmental
samples-NIEA-PA102, 2004
Taiwan EPA, Guidelines of Calibration Curve Preparation and Checkup for Environmental Analysis
-NIEA-PA103, 2004
Taiwan EPA, Quality Control Implementation Guidelines for Environmental Analysis -NIEA-PA104,
2004
Taiwan EPA, Guidelines of Quality Control Chart Establishment for Environmental Analysis
-NIEA-PA105, 2004
Taiwan EPA, Guidelines of laboratory ware cleaning and calibration for Environmental Analysis
-NIEA-PA106, 2004
Taiwan EPA, Guidelines of method detection limit Establishment for Environmental Analysis
-NIEA-PA107, 2004
Taiwan EPA, Guidelines of instrument calibration and maintenance for Environmental Analysis
-NIEA-PA108, 2004
Taiwan EPA, Soil and groundwater analysis and QA/QC, soil pollution assessment and investigation
personnel training textbook, Volume 13, 2017
EAL, Taiwan EPA, Laboratory quality manual, 2017