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AOAC
OFFICIAL METHODS OF ANALYSIS
SM
The
Official Methods of Analysis
SM
(OMA) program is AOAC INTERNATIONAL's premier methods
program. The program evaluates chemistry, microbiology, and molecular biology methods. It also
evaluates traditional benchtop methods, instrumental methods, and proprietary, commercial, and/or
alternative methods. In 2011, AOAC augmented the
Official Methods
SM
program by including an
approach to First Action
Official Methods
SM
status that relies on gathering the experts to develop
voluntary consensus standards, followed by collective expert judgment of methods using the adopted
standards.
The OMA program has undergone a series of transitions in support of AOAC's collaborations, evolving
technology, and evolving technical requirements. Methods approved in this program have undergone
rigorous scientific and systematic scrutiny such that analytical results by methods in the
Official Methods
of Analysis of AOAC INTERNATIONAL
are deemed to be highly credible and defensible.
On September 7, 2012, AOAC INTERNATIONAL further clarified the AOAC
Official Methods
SM
program by
transitioning the conformity assessment component of the
Official Methods
SM
program into the AOAC
Research Institute. The AOAC Research Institute now administers the AOAC
Official Methods
SM
program
for all proprietary, single and sole source methods. Methods submitted through the PTM-OMA
harmonized process also will be reviewed through the AOAC Research Institute. All methods in the
AOAC
Official Methods
SM
program are now reviewed by Expert Review Panels for First Action AOAC
Official Methods of Analysis
SM
status.
EXPERT REVIEW PANEL (ERP)
The AOAC Expert Review Panels (ERPs) are a key part of AOAC INTERNATIONAL’s Method Approval
Process. AOAC ERPs are authorized to adopt candidate methods as First Action
Official Methods
and to
recommend adoption of these methods to Final Action
Official Methods
status. Scientists are recruited
to serve on ERPs in a variety of ways. Normally, a call for experts is published at the same time as a call
for methods is posted. Interested scientists are invited to submit their
curriculum vitae
(CV) for
consideration. Advisory panel, stakeholder panel, and working group members may make
recommendations to AOAC for ERP members. All CVs are reviewed and evaluated for expertise by the
AOAC Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and then to the AOAC Official Methods Board for formal review. The
composition of the ERP must be fulfilled with qualified subject matter experts representing various
perspectives. Please refer to our Call for Experts on the AOAC homepage for further information.
AOAC INTERNATIONAL
2275 Research Blvd, Suite 300
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Phone: (301) 924-7077