Annex 04
INTERNATIONAL PEPPER COMMUNITY
JAKARTA – INDONESIA
BRIEF GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING / DESPATCHING
SAMPLES TO THE PARTICATING LABORATORIES
1.
Preparation of samples
1.1
Every effort should be made to ensure that all test materials provided are uniform,
appropriate, homogeneous, and that they will not deteriorate. They should be prepared by a
person or institution with the appropriate competence so as to guarantee their integrity.
1.2. The IPC has received some methods for samples preparation from expert members
from the member countries, which can be downloaded from IPC website for references:
a) Sampling Methods of India
http://www.ipcnet.org/qs_methodsampling/10-sampling%20method%20india.pdf
b) Sampling Methods of Indonesia
http://www.ipcnet.org/qs_methodsampling/11-sampling%20method%20indonesia.pdf
c) Sampling Methods of Sri Lanka
http://www.ipcnet.org/qs_methodsampling/13-sampling%20method%20sri%20lanka.pdf
d) Sampling Methods of Vietnam
http://www.ipcnet.org/qs_methodsampling/14-samplingmethods-vn.pdf
1.3
The test materials should be properly characterized before being issued. The
characterization should be sufficient for the purposes of the proficiency test or collaborative
exercise, using a reference laboratory acceptable to all the participants and any available
primary or reference standards. When it is necessary to carry out a specific calibration to
ensure the compatibility of the test or exercise results, such standards should also be available
to all participants.
1.4
Consideration should be given to the preparation of spare test materials, to be made
available to participants in the event of their original test materials being lost or compromised
in any way, and to assist in resolving any issues which may arise concerning the integrity of
the test materials. Spare test materials, when not needed for the purpose could also be useful
material for training purposes.
1.5
Details of the test materials and their preparation and characterization should be fully
documented.
1.6
Where there are any possible health or safety considerations associated with the test
materials or their examination, it is the responsibility of the Coordinator to identify these and
to bring them to the attention of participants.
Meeting of Expert Members of Committee on Quality
1.7.
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The total numbers of samples (sets) required is 17 set of samples which shall consists:
1). Samples for Macro / Chemical Analysis
a)
750g of whole white pepper – (to be coded as IPC 14/2011 WPX)
b)
750g of whole white pepper – (to be coded as IPC 14/2011 WPY)
a)
750g of whole Black pepper – (to be coded as IPC 14/2011 WPX)
b)
750g of whole Black pepper – (to be coded as IPC 14/2011 WPY)
2). Samples for Microbiological analysis
a)
200g of whole white pepper – (to be coded as IPC 14/2011 WPX)
b)
200g of whole white pepper – (to be coded as IPC 14/2011 WPY)
a)
200g of whole Black pepper – (to be coded as IPC 14/2011 WPX)
b)
200g of whole Black pepper – (to be coded as IPC 14/2011 WPY)
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Distribution
2.1
Test materials should be packaged in such a way so as to ensure their integrity,
stability and security whilst in transit. Any specific requirements for their handling or storage
should be made explicit, particularly if this could affect the health or safety of anyone
involved.
2.2
The distribution of some materials is often controlled by legislation. Hence it is
requested to the phytosanitary certificate from the concerned agencies and other
export/import licenses that may be required before sending the samples to participating
laboratories.
2.3
Details on the packaging and distribution should be fully documented.
2.4
Distribute the test materials to the Laboratory Working Group member, quality
assurance manager and/or Laboratory director. Ensure that is labeled as an official rather than
a personal communication so that it will receive attention in the event of an individual being
absent from the Laboratory.
3.
Return of results
3.1
It is particularly important to identify how the results should be returned before the
test or exercise is prepared. The IPC Committee on Quality has developed standard forms to
facilitate the analysis of the returns which can be downloaded from the IPC website at the
links given below:
a)
b)
c)
Analysis Data Sheet – Macro Test Result
Analysis Data Sheet – Micro Test Result
IPC Collaborative Study (VO, NVEE, Piperine)
3.2. The participating laboratories are requested to analyze the samples received according
to the IPC Standards Methods. The IPC Methods is available from the IPC website at the
following link:
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Meeting of Expert Members of Committee on Quality
Annex 04
IPC Methods of Analysis
1. Preparation of samples
2. Determination of moisture
3. Lightberries in black white pepper
4. Determination of bulkdensity
5. Determination of extraneousmatter
6. Determination of wholeinsects
7. Determination of excreta
8. Determination of insectdefiled berries
9. Determination of mouldy
10. Determination of grey blackberries
11. Salmonella sampling plan
12. Salmonella
3.3
Where measurement units are involved, there may be different national practices, so it
is helpful to indicate the units that should be used.
3.4
The Coordinator should specify the latest date for return of results. The policy for
dealing with late returns can be left to individual Expert Working Groups, but consideration
should be given to discouraging them.
3.5
Consideration should be given by the Coordinator to the need for the test materials
themselves or working documents/materials to be returned with the results.
3.6
All returns should be retained by the Coordinator until the test or exercise has been
completed.
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