Round robin test for determining soy mass
VLOG has been organising an annual interlaboratory study for soybean mass determination with satisfactory Z-score since 2017. In order to apply for VLOG recognition as a laboratory or to maintain recognition as a laboratory, regular participation in an interlaboratory comparison test for soybean mass determination with a satisfactory Z-score may be necessary for your laboratory (see Guideline for VLOG recognition of laboratories). Of course, this depends on whether you perform the GMO analyses for soy mass determination yourself or outsource it to another laboratory.
Method for soybean mass determination
Each laboratory can use its own method for soy mass determination (PCR, ELISA, etc.). The feed to be analyzed is a soy-free compound feed to which conventional soy meal has been added.
To "calibrate" their own method, the participating laboratories are provided with a reference material (soy-free compound feed) to which 1 percent soy has been added. After the optimization of their own analysis method, the 2nd step of the laboratory comparison test follows.
The laboratories are sent feeds with different (unknown) doses of soybean meal. The mixed feed and the soybean meal from the first step will be used. The results obtained in this way are to be evaluated and made available to the participating laboratories. They will receive their own results and an anonymized overall evaluation.
For VLOG recognition, laboratories must achieve good results in soybean mass determination. Sample preparation or processing and evaluation of results is done by a certified provider for laboratory comparative testing.
Costs
Depending on the number of participating laboratories, a maximum of 1,000 euros is incurred per laboratory.