EN ISO 22117:2019 PDF

Microbiology of the food chain - Specific requirements and guidance for proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparison (ISO 22117:2019)

Title (English):

EN ISO 22117:2019

Microbiology of the food chain - Specific requirements and guidance for proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparison (ISO 22117:2019)

Document status:: Active
Format:: Electronic (PDF)
Number of pages:: 42
Publication date:: March 20, 2019
Edition:: CEN EN 22117 edition 2 version 1
ICS:: 07.100.30

Document language:

enru

Delivery time:1–7 days

Price:97 €

Description (English):

This document specifies requirements and gives guidelines for the organization of proficiency testing (PT) schemes for microbiological examinations of a) foods and beverages, b) feeding animals, c) environmental samples from food and feed production and handling, and d) primary production stages. This document is also applicable to the microbiological examination of water where water is either used in food production or is regarded as a food in national legislation. This document relates to the technical organization and implementation of PT schemes, as well as the statistical treatment of results of microbiological examinations. This document is designed for use with ISO/IEC 17043 and ISO 13528, and deals only with areas where specific or additional details are necessary for PT schemes dealing with microbiological examinations for the areas specified in the first paragraph.

Technical details

Technical committee: CEN/TC 463 - Microbiology of the food chain
SKU: EN ISO 22117:2019

Abstract

Overview

EN ISO 22117:2019 - "Microbiology of the food chain - Specific requirements and guidance for proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparison" - provides technical requirements and practical guidance for organizing proficiency testing (PT) schemes for microbiological examinations across the food chain. It covers PT design and implementation for foods and beverages, animal feed, environmental samples from production/handling, primary production stages, and water when used in food production or defined as food by national legislation. The standard focuses on microbiology‑specific issues such as sample homogeneity, stability and interpretation of detection/enumeration results.

Key Topics and Requirements

Scheme design and objectives
- Defining scheme purpose, participant requirements and test matrices.
Sample design and content
- Selection and characterization of target organisms, target levels, and consideration of non‑target organisms and matrix effects.
Sample verification
- Homogeneity testing and stability assessments for both quantitative (enumeration) and qualitative (presence/absence) samples.
Sample handling and participant instructions
- Packaging, storage and transport considerations to preserve microbial integrity.
Statistical design and result treatment
- Statistical planning, determination of assigned values, uncertainty of assigned values and methods for performance evaluation.
- Use of z‑scores and other performance metrics for quantitative methods.
Performance assessment
- Assessment approaches for quantitative and qualitative methods, preliminary considerations and long‑term performance monitoring.
Supporting materials
- Informative annexes with practical examples (scheme plan details, fungal spore preparation, homogeneity testing methods, safety data sheet example).

Practical Applications and Users

EN ISO 22117:2019 is intended for:

PT providers who design and run interlaboratory comparisons for food microbiology.
Food and feed microbiology laboratories seeking meaningful external quality assessment.
Accreditation bodies and regulators assessing laboratory competence within official control frameworks.
Food manufacturers and contract testing labs using PT results for quality assurance and supplier verification. Practical uses include designing microbiology PT schemes, validating sample preparation and transport protocols, statistically evaluating laboratory performance, and supporting laboratory accreditation (ISO/IEC 17025 context).

Related Standards

ISO/IEC 17043 - General requirements for proficiency testing providers (EN ISO 22117 is designed to be used with this).
ISO 13528 - Statistical methods for proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparison (aligned in EN ISO 22117:2019).
Supersedes: CEN ISO/TS 22117:2010.

Keywords: EN ISO 22117:2019, proficiency testing, interlaboratory comparison, food microbiology, PT schemes, homogeneity, stability, z‑score, ISO/IEC 17043, ISO 13528.

Related standards

Standards mentioned in the description

Abstract

Overview

Key Topics and Requirements

Scheme design and objectives
- Defining scheme purpose, participant requirements and test matrices.
Sample design and content
- Selection and characterization of target organisms, target levels, and consideration of non‑target organisms and matrix effects.
Sample verification
- Homogeneity testing and stability assessments for both quantitative (enumeration) and qualitative (presence/absence) samples.
Sample handling and participant instructions
- Packaging, storage and transport considerations to preserve microbial integrity.
Statistical design and result treatment
- Statistical planning, determination of assigned values, uncertainty of assigned values and methods for performance evaluation.
- Use of z‑scores and other performance metrics for quantitative methods.
Performance assessment
- Assessment approaches for quantitative and qualitative methods, preliminary considerations and long‑term performance monitoring.
Supporting materials
- Informative annexes with practical examples (scheme plan details, fungal spore preparation, homogeneity testing methods, safety data sheet example).

Practical Applications and Users

EN ISO 22117:2019 is intended for:

PT providers who design and run interlaboratory comparisons for food microbiology.
Food and feed microbiology laboratories seeking meaningful external quality assessment.
Accreditation bodies and regulators assessing laboratory competence within official control frameworks.
Food manufacturers and contract testing labs using PT results for quality assurance and supplier verification. Practical uses include designing microbiology PT schemes, validating sample preparation and transport protocols, statistically evaluating laboratory performance, and supporting laboratory accreditation (ISO/IEC 17025 context).

Related Standards

ISO/IEC 17043 - General requirements for proficiency testing providers (EN ISO 22117 is designed to be used with this).
ISO 13528 - Statistical methods for proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparison (aligned in EN ISO 22117:2019).
Supersedes: CEN ISO/TS 22117:2010.

Keywords: EN ISO 22117:2019, proficiency testing, interlaboratory comparison, food microbiology, PT schemes, homogeneity, stability, z‑score, ISO/IEC 17043, ISO 13528.

EN ISO 22117:2019 PDF

Technical details

Abstract

Overview

Key Topics and Requirements

Practical Applications and Users

Related Standards

Related standards

Abstract

Overview

Key Topics and Requirements

Practical Applications and Users

Related Standards

Related standards

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