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Methods of Analysis and Sampling
Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (Host Government - Hungary)
The Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling (CCMAS) defines criteria for Codex methods of analysis and sampling and coordinates the work of Codex with other international groups working in methods of analysis and sampling and quality assurance systems for laboratories.CCMAS specifies reference methods of analysis and sampling for Codex Standards and considers and endorses methods of analysis and sampling proposed by Codex Committees, except those related to pesticide residues and veterinary drugs in food, the assessment of microbiological quality and safety in food and food additives. It also considers issues submitted to it by the Codex Alimentarius Commission and defines procedures, protocols and guidelines for quality assurance systems and assessment of proficiency for food laboratories.
Existing Codex Standards
Standards relating to methods of analysis and sampling* that have been endorsed and adopted into the international food code include:
- Recommended Methods of Analysis and Sampling; and
- Methods of Analysis and Sampling for Fruit Juices and Related Products.
Outcomes of the 31st Session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission
The 31st Session of the Codex Alimentaruis Commission adopted, at Step 8, the Endorsement of Methods of Analysis in Draft Standards and Existing Standards. The Commission also adopted, at Step 5, the Proposed Draft Guidelines on Analytical Terminology.
The Commission approved new work on the proposed Draft Guidelines for Criteria for Methods for the Detection and Identification of Foods Derived from Biotechnology as well as on Guidance on measurement uncertainty and uncertainty of sampling (proposed Draft Revision of the Guidelines on Measurement Uncertainty).
* This is an indicative list only. For a full list of standards approved by the Codex Alimentarius Commission, please consult its Official List of Standards.
Last Meeting
This committee met for its 29th Session in Budapest, Hungary, from 10 – 14 March 2008. At this session the committee:
- agreed to propose an amendment to the Working Instructions for the Implementation of the Criteria Approach in Codex in the Procedural Manual
- endorsed or updated the status of several methods of analysis in Codex standards
- agreed to advance to Step 5 - the Proposed Draft Guidelines on Analytical Terminology
- agreed to undertake new work on Guidelines for Criteria for Methods for the Detection and Identification of Foods Derived from Biotechnology and on the revision of the Guidelines on Measurement Uncertainty (CAC/GL 54-2004).
The Committee also:
- agreed to retain at Step 7 the Draft Guidelines for Evaluating Acceptable Methods of Analysis
- agreed to return to Step 6 the Draft Guidelines for Settling Disputes on Analytical (Test) Results, and
- agreed to consider further at its next session the development of guidelines for establishing methods criteria for identification of relevant analytical methods; guidance on sampling uncertainty; the question from the Committee on Milk and Milk Products concerning conformity assessment in the presence of significant measurement error (para. 109); and methods of analysis for dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs.
Download the report from this meeting
Next Meeting
The 30th Session of the Codex Committee on Methods of Analysis and Sampling will be held in Budapest, Hungary, from 9 – 13 March 2009.
Download the agenda for this meeting