Industry glossary
Terms you will meet in the documents, systems and scenarios.
Chain of custody
The documented record of who has collected, transported and received a sample, with signatures, dates and times at each transfer.
Holding time
The maximum time between sampling and analysis within which a result is considered valid for a given test and matrix.
Matrix
The type of material a sample is made of, such as drinking water, soil, food or concrete, which determines the test method and preparation.
Matrix spike
A sample to which a known amount of analyte is added before preparation, used to measure recovery and detect interference.
Limit of reporting
The lowest concentration of an analyte that the laboratory reports as a measured value rather than as less than a stated figure.
Proficiency testing
An external program in which laboratories analyse the same sample and their results are compared to check competence.
Nonconformance
Any work, result or condition that does not meet a procedure, method, quality control limit or client requirement, which must be recorded and evaluated.
Traceability
The property of a measurement result that links it, through an unbroken chain of calibrations, to national or international standards.
Aseptic technique
Working methods that prevent contamination of cultures, media and samples by unwanted microorganisms.
Authorised signatory
A person approved by the laboratory and recognised by the accreditation body to authorise the release of test reports for specified methods.