©2012AOAC INTERNATIONAL
G
UIDELINES
FOR
S
TANDARD
M
ETHOD
P
ERFORMANCE
R
EQUIREMENTS
AOACO
FFICIAL
M
ETHODS
OF
A
NALYSIS
(2012)
Appendix F, p. 4
For projectswithmultiple analytes, for example, vitaminsA, D,
E, andK in infant formula, it may be useful to organize a separate
working group to fully describe the matrix(es) so that a common
description of thematrix(es) can be applied to all of the analytes.
For single analyte SMPRs, it is most common to organize the
method performance requirements into a table with 2–3 columns
as illustrated in Table 1. For multiple analyte SMPRs, it is often
convenient to present the requirements in an expanded table with
analytes forming additional columns as illustrated inTable 2.
Once the intended use, analytical techniques, and method
performance requirements have been determined, then a working
group can proceed to consider the quality control parameters,
such as the minimum validation requirements, system suitability
procedures, and reference materials (if available). It is not
uncommon that an appropriate referencematerial is not available.
AnnexF
of theSMPRGuidelinesprovidescomprehensiveguidance
for the development and use of in-house referencematerials.
Most working groups are able to prepare a consensus SMPR in
about 3months.
OpenComment Period
Once a working group has produced a draft standard, AOAC
opens a comment period for the standard. The comment period
provides an opportunity for other stakeholders to state their
perspective on the draft SMPR. All collected comments are
reviewed by theAOACCSO and theworking group chair, and the
comments are reconciled. If there are significant changes required
to thedraft standardas a result of thecomments, theworkinggroup
is convened to discuss and any unresolved issueswill be presented
for discussion at the stakeholder panelmeeting.
Submissionof Draft SMPRs to theStakeholder Panel
Stakeholderpanelsmeet several timesayearatvarious locations.
Theworkinggroupchair (ordesignee)presentsadraftSMPR to the
stakeholderpanel for reviewanddiscussion.Aworkinggroupchair
is expected to be able to explain the conclusions of the working
group, discuss comments received, and to answer questions from
the stakeholder panel. Themembers of the stakeholder panel may
revise, amend, approve, or defer adecisionon theproposedSMPR.
Asupermajorityof 2/3ormoreof thosevoting is required to adopt
anSMPR as anAOAC voluntary consensus standard.
Publication
Adopted SMPRs are prepared for publication byAOAC staff,
andarepublished in the
Journal ofAOAC INTERNATIONAL
and in
theAOAC
OfficialMethods of Analysis
SM
compendium. Often, the
AOACCSO andworking group chair prepare a companion article
to introduceanSMPRanddescribe theanalytical issues considered
and resolved by the SMPR.An SMPR is usually publishedwithin
6months of adoption.
Conclusion
SMPRs are a unique and novel concept for the analytical
methods community. SMPRs are voluntary, consensus standards
developed by stakeholders that prescribe the minimum analytical
performance requirements for classes of analytical methods. The
SMPR Guidelines provide a structure for working groups to use
as they develop an SMPR. The guidelines have been employed in
severalAOACprojects andhavebeenproven tobeveryuseful. The
guidelines are not a statute that users must conform to; they are a
“living” document that is regularly updated, so users should check
theAOACwebsite for the latest versionbeforeusing theguidelines.
References
(1) Eurachem,
TheFitness forPurpose of AnalyticalMethods:
ALaboratoryGuide toMethodValidation andRelated
Topics, Validation
,
valid.pdf, postedDecember 1998, accessedMarch 2012
(2)
Guidelines forCollaborative StudyProcedures to
ValidateCharacteristics of aMethod of Analysis
(2012)
OfficialMethods of Analysis, AppendixD
,AOAC
INTERNATIONAL, Gaithersburg,MD
(3)
AOAC INTERNATIONALMethodsCommitteeGuidelines
forValidation of Biological Threat AgentMethods and/
orProcedures
(2012)
OfficialMethods of Analysis,
19th
Ed.,
Appendix I, Calculation of CPOD and dCPODValues
fromQualitativeMethodCollaborative StudyData
,AOAC
INTERNATIONAL, Gaithersburg,MD
(4)
AOACGuidelines for Single-LaboratoryValidation of
ChemicalMethods forDietary Supplements andBotanicals
(2012)
OfficialMethods of Analysis
, 19thEd.,
AppendixK
,
AOAC INTERNATIONAL, Gaithersburg,MD
(5) CodexAlimentariusCodexProcedureManual
(6) InternationalOrganization for Standardization, Geneva,
Switzlerland
Table 2. Exampleofmethodperformance table formultiple analytes
Analyte 1
Analyte 2
Analyte 3
Analytical range
10–20μg/mL
100–200μg/mL
200–500μg/mL
Limit of quantitation (LOQ)
10μg/mL
100μg/mL
200μg/mL
Repeatability (RSD
r
)
<10μg/mL
8%
<10μg/mL
8%
<200μg/mL
10%
10μg/mL
6%
10μg/mL
6%
200μg/mL
8%
