Newsletter #24

 

 

 

Relana® study confirms after undercover proficiency test: “Relana®-labs performance more accurate and more precise than other labs”

Relana® was established in 2005 as the quality circle for laboratories in terms of pesticide and contaminant analysis and Primoris was there from the very beginning. Laboratories that are recognised by Relana® are guaranteed to deliver the highest reliability and excellent quality. Primoris is the only laboratory in Belgium and in its neighbouring countries (the Netherlands, France and Luxemburg) that is part of the select group of 10 recognised Relana® labs.

In order to test the excellent analytical performance of “their” laboratories, Relana® often launches undercover proficiency tests, allowing them to test the daily performance of laboratories under routine conditions. Unlike regular proficiency tests, the laboratories do not know the sample is indeed a test sample. As a result they treat it as any other, which offers a clear and reliable view into the daily performance of laboratories in terms of routine samples.

Independent study August 2019

Through an independent study in August 2019, Relana® has conducted such an undercover proficiency test with 35 laboratories:

  • 10 labs that are part of Relana®, including Primoris
  • 25 other labs throughout Europe

The official conclusion of this proficiency test, compiled and communicated by Relana®, is:

“The evaluation of this undercover test performed – using conventionally cultivated plums - demonstrates that Relana® labs are providing more accurate, precise and comparable results than other laboratories. As a consequence, results of Relana® labs can be considered as reliable – which is the claim of Relana®.”

In their study the higher reliability of Relana® labs is clearly demonstrated using the statistical calculation of:

  1. The scaled median absolute deviation (MADe): this is a dispersion measure in descriptive statistics and indicates how far a single result deviates from the median on average
    • With Relana® labs this deviation is lower, which means a better result. Relana® labs provide more precise analysis results

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  1. The average z-score: the z-score indicates how many standard deviations an observation differs from the average
    • In general, the average z-score deviation of the Relana® labs is lover compared to the other labs. Also for this calculation, the Relana® labs clearly gather a better score

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Are you interested in the details of this undercover proficiency test? Do not hesitate to contact your market manager or our customer service:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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