Approved by Official Methods Board, November 13, 2008
Approved by AOAC Board of Directors, December 9, 2008
Appeals Process Appended – September 2009
Revisedby AOAC Board of Directors, May 25, 2011
Page 4 of 6
The basic requirements for selection of methods for further validation studies will be:
fitness for purpose, applicability to the scope needed, clarity of method description,
satisfactory performance characteristics, and single laboratory validation data. To assist
the Panel, the AOAC will provide a “Methods Selection Worksheet,” which may be
modified at the discretion of the ERP. ERP members will identify the best method(s) for
further validation, and identify any modifications to be made to the method. An example
of the Method Selection Worksheet is attached.
Samples: The ERP will be asked to recommend the specific materials (matrices) to be
included in the subsequent validation studies, along with detailed justifications.
Summary Report: The Chair of the ERP prepares a Summary Report clearly enunciating
the recommendations of the Panel, the manner in which these conclusions were reached,
any modifications of the method(s) chosen, and the materials (matrices) to be included in
the validation studies. The report is to be submitted to the ERP in a timely fashion after
the concluding ERP meeting. Comments are also due back to the ERP Chair in a timely
fashion. The report is then sent to the stakeholders and a copy is forwarded to the Chair
of the OMB.
Post-ERP Activities: AOAC retains the right to call on the panelists, as well as members
of the Industry Groups, for continued assistance in the subsequent validation studies.
This may include (1) help in obtaining the required samples for use in the subsequent
validation studies, as well as participating laboratories; (2) help in developing and
reviewing the validation study protocols; and (3) help in reviewing the data resulting
from the validation studies and reviewing the manuscript describing the results. These
activities will be coordinated by the CSO.
Method Selection Worksheet
Method Title:
Method Number:
Overall evaluation score (1being lowest, 10 being highest):
Additional Factors to Consider:
Recommendation:
Signature (date):
