Perspective. Traceability in analytical chemistry

Abstract

Notwithstanding their theoretical and/or practical significance, some basic concepts of widespread, subconscious acceptance and use in the technical, social and economic fields lack a precise definition owing to their vague, imprecise meanings. Some such concepts represent new approaches and are assigned a variety of names when in fact they have been around as long as mankind. Such is the case with ‘honesty’ in the social field, ‘profitability’ in economic spheres and ‘traceability’ in the technical realm. Measuring has been a necessity since the spring-time of human activity. To measure is to compare and the comparison entails using a reliable reference or standard. Traceability in the technical field is a basic, generic concept related to the quality of the measurements made and the results obtained from them. Even though the traceability concept has been implicit in analytical chemistry activities since the very beginning, it only surfaced in the specialist literature fairly recently, through the metrological concepts inherent in quality assurance international regulations. In fact, while traceability is explicitly defined in the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Guide no. 25, it is very often used as a matter of course or defined in rather variable terms. The resurgence of the traceability concept can be ascribed to the growing concern with quality in the analytical laboratory and the expansion of international trade relationships, which relies on harmonizing laboratory activities in order to mutually exchange results. Here, the traceability concept as pertinent to the analytical chemical field is dealt with systematically its various basic and applied notions are discussed, with special emphasis on the analytical chemical aspects and the prominent role of calibration and standardization in this context.