ApprovedbyOfficialMethods Board, November 13, 2008
ApprovedbyAOACBoardof Directors, December 9, 2008
AppealsProcessAppended–September 2009
RevisedbyAOACBoardof Directors,May 25, 2011
Page 2 of 6
AOACmemberswilling to serve as experts and cataloging their education, experience,
and other applicable credentials. Candidates can also be recommended by the
stakeholder(s). Note: Candidates (except for the chair) do not need to bemembers of
AOAC. The appointment of experts to anERPwill be for aminimum of 3 years.
Qualification of Expert Reviewers: To qualify as anExpert Reviewer, the candidatemust
meet one of the following requirements: (1)Demonstrated knowledge in the appropriate
scientific disciplines. (2)Demonstrated knowledge regardingdata relevant to adequate
methodperformance. (3)Demonstrated knowledge of practical application of analytical
methods to bona fide diagnostic requirements. These qualificationsmust be clearly
described in aCV submitted to theCSO and kept on file at AOAC headquarters.
Duties: Members of the Pool of Expertswill be called upon to serve onERPs as needed,
and to reviewdocuments prepared in the course of the project. These documentsmay
include: (1) procedural documents on howmethodswill be selected and how single
laboratoryvalidation studieswill be done; (2)methods submitted for consideration as
Official First ActionMethods; (3)methods submitted for selection for further validation
studies; (4) protocols to be used for single laboratoryvalidation studies; (5) the selection
ofmethods to be considered for full collaborative studies; and (6) validation study
reports.
ExpertReviewPanel:
TheCSO selects candidates for anERP from the Pool of Experts database, theCall for
Experts on theAOACwebsite, and from candidates recommended by the stakeholders.
Selection of ERP candidates is based upon their knowledge and experience to adequately
evaluate the scope of the study and the anticipated number of submittedmethods. The
size of theERPwill be sufficient to assure the necessary expertise is present. TheCSO
may recommend one of thePanelmembers to serve asChair.
TheCSO submits the following to theOMBChair: The original submissionpackage, a
list of all candidates considered for inclusion on theERP, the slate of recommended
candidates, and a list of possible alternates. Explanations for theERP choicesmaybe
included by either theCSOor a stakeholder if desired. TheOMBChairwill delegate two
members of theOMB to perform a review. The reviewers submit their recommendations
inwriting to theOMB. TheOMB then votes on the reviewers’ recommendations. This
vote can be either by email or during anOMBmeeting. TheOMBmay choose not to
select one ormore individuals on thePanel as submitted andmayormaynot accept the
recommendation of theCSO for the panel Chair. Amajorityof those votingwill be
required for approval. The vote of theChairwill break any tie. TheCSO, ERP
members, and stakeholder body are notified of the votewithin oneweek.
Conflict of Interest: It is incumbent upon eachERPmember to avoid anyknown or
potential conflicts of interest andmake these known to theCSO andOMBChair. Each
poolmember chosen for anERPwill be asked to agree to theAOACPolicies and
Procedures onConflicts of Interest evidenced by completing aConflict of Interest Form.
