The project Screening methods for Water data Information in support of the implementation of the Water Framework Directive (project acronym: SWIFT-WFD), was funded by the European Commission with contract no: SSPI - CT - 2003 - 502492, and had started on 1 January, 2004.

The project was organized in 7 operational Work Packages (WP1-7) and the tasks were to be carried out over a period of 36, finally 39 months. The main objective of the project was to support the successful implementation of the WFD. Since the achievement of this objective closely depends on the quality of monitoring data and its comparability from river basin to river basin, the project primarily targeted the development, validation and dissemination of rapid, affordable and user friendly measurement techniques.

One of the main outputs of the project was the production of Quality Control tools not only for classical, but also for a range of screening test methods for ecological/biological and chemical monitoring purposes. Within the frame of WP2, which aimed the production of a set of Quality Control Tools for validation and both internal and external QC schemes, selected Reference Materials were produced.


For further information on the project please visit www.swift-wfd.com.

Task of QualityConsult in the Project

Within Project Activity 3.2. three Proficiency Testing schemes were organized at European level, using the matrix Reference Materials produced within the frame of Project Activity 2.2 (WP2). QualityConsult was charged by the organization and the evaluation of these Proficiency Testing Schemes (PTs).

Selected laboratories from all the European countries were invited to participate in the PTs. In the 1 st, the targets were routine laboratories involved in water monitoring (relevant to the implementation of the WFD); in the 2 nd and 3 rd, the invitation was extended to laboratories applying screening methods in order to compare their performances with classical methods.

The matrix RMs were prepared with natural and spiked analyte content for trace elements, major components, pesticides and PAHs, and were to be tested with the provided calibrants and/or blind solutions. All together seventeen RMs (including calibrants, spiking solutions and blind solutions) were produced, and were characterised and tested homogeneity and stability. The three batch samples for the preparation of the three groups of test samples were collected 1, at Keizersveer Meetstation on River Meuse (NL) in June 2004, at the Brevilles spring (FR) in February 2005 and at the Ruhr affluent of River Rhine (DE) in October 2005. The three sets of RMs were prepared with an increasing level of difficulty, primarily for the participants of the PTs exercises as preparation for the successful implementation of the WFD, and the preparation of the test materials (RMs) themselves.

The matrix reference materials were prepared by the Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM - BE), while the the production of calibrants, blind solutions and spiking solutions for the materials at fortified level was carried out by the University of Barcelona (ES). As exception, test material RM08, was fortified by the use of pesticide pills prepared upon specific requirements by the Institute Pasteur de Lille (FR).

All three SWIFT-WFD PTs were successfully completed.

QualityConsult, based on the outcome of the three PTs organized within the frame of the project prepared the recommendation report to the European Commission.