MCERTs Soil Analysis

The MCERTs performance standard for soil analysis is an application of ISO 17025:2000 and includes specific requirements for MCERTs for water sampling and chemical analysis. When procuring chemical soil testing you will need to be aware of the following issues:

• All data submitted to the Agency, for regulatory purposes, must conform to MCERTs requirements.

• Does the laboratory have MCERTs for the parameters you require? Ensure the laboratory methods are appropriate and fit for purpose in terms of: Parameter Critical levels of interest (the level at which a decision is to be made).

• Check that your soil matrix is covered by the laboratories accreditation. ESG has MCERTs for 4 soil matrices: sandy, silty, clay soils and made ground. This is a major difference from UKAS ISO 17025 where test accreditation is not matrix specific. So if a laboratory is claiming MCERTs and you send in samples that are outside their validated matrices your reported results will not be accredited.

• Ensure your sampling procedures, preservation and transportation are appropriate to minimise loss of analytes and for the analytical methods chosen. You will need to record details in the field.

• Ensure that details are recorded to satisfy complete audit trails, e.g. location of sample, depth, date/time taken, site preservation details. The selection and validation of methods

The Environment Agency has established its "Monitoring Certification Scheme" (MCERTs), to deliver high quality environmental measurements. The scheme is progressively being extended to cover all regulatory monitoring activities. There are currently standards in place for emissions to land, water and air.

MCERTs for Water Sampling and Chemical Analysis

This latest MCERTs standard was published in July 2008 and covers "sampling and chemical analysis of waters". This means that organisations which undertake sampling of waters may need MCERTs accreditation in addition to the laboratory undertaking the analysis. The standard covers sampling and chemical testing of untreated sewage, treated sewage effluents and trade effluents. There will be a phased implementation timeline from July 2008 when the first applications can be submitted until mid 2010 when the first grants of accreditation are expected. Currently it will only apply to effluent from sewage treatment works, to facilitate water companies moving to a self monitoring regime from April 2009.

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