WG6 Leaders
Lead
WG6
Description
The main objectives of this WG are the validation of existing protocols for sample preparation and measurements (shape, size, abundance, and composition) in the range of N/MPs, through organization and the participation of PRIORITY laboratories in interlaboratory studies and comparison with different independent measurement principles. Not only will different environmental conditions/ecosystems be considered, but so will the environmental samples (organisms of different size and trophic levels, soils, sediment, water, plants, etc.). Additionally, this WG will provide recommendations on best practice to make data comparable and applicable for future studies with other working groups, stakeholders, and decision-makers.
WG6
Meetings
WG6 kick of meeting, 6th July 2022, hybrid (Brescia, Italy)
The aim of this meeting was to introduce PRIORITY COST Action objectives to the participants of WG6. Self-introduction of the participants was conducted. The structure of WG6 was discussed and the results of the survey about participants were presented. In addition, a road map for WG6 activities was discussed.
2th WG6 meeting, 20th September 2023, hybrid (Brussels, Belgium)
Two lectures were organized as an introduction to the discussion:
“How reliable is my and the literature data – what can be improved. A soil scientists perspective” by Anita Jemec Kokalj
“Basic metrological aspects with special consideration of MNP measurements” by Thomas C. Meisel,
Planning of a WG6 workshop related to Standardisation and Metrology.
Main topics of the discussion were: metrological concepts, method development, method validation, measurement uncertainty, preparation of testing materials, reference materials (availability, certification and proper use)
WG6
Activities
- Task 1 Definitions and Terminology
A harmonization and standardization of the terminology used in conjunction with all aspects of micro- and nanoplastics. Recommendations will be published on the website.
- Task 2 Reference and test materials
Dedicated to the provision of an overview of existing reference material (certified and uncertified) as well as available test materials that were produced during the course of other large projects dedicated to the measurement of micro- and nanoplastics.
- Task 3 Mapping of European and non-European projects
A mindmap related to the production of M/NP reference and test materials within the frame of ongoing an completed projects.
- Task 4 Guidance to the preparation of M/NP test materials
Standard operation procedures (SOP) and guidance for the preparation of in-house reference materials, test materials for round robin tests and interlaboratory comparisons (ILC) will be collected, reviewed. Guidance and recommendations will be published on our website.
- Task 5 Mapping of existing interlaboratory comparisons (ILC) and proficiency testing programs (PT) related to M/NP
- Task 6 Organization and coordination of interlaboratory comparisons and round robin tests
Small-scale ILC and round robin tests will be organized as training for CA PRIORITY participants. These will be organized and prepared by WG6 in coordination with WG3.
- Task 5 Mapping of existing interlaboratory comparisons (ILC) and proficiency testing programs (PT) related to M/NP
- Task 7 Coordination amongst PRIORITY working groups
The goal is to understand the needs and to harmonize activities amongst WG this subgroup will participate in the activities of the other WG and provide recommendations concerning harmonization and standardization. Tight collaboration with the WGs Collaboration Coordinator, Gabriela Kalčikova.
WG6
Completed or ongoing activities
- Report of connections with liasoning bodies, such as standardization entities (ISO, CEN, and corresponding National standardization bodies), regulation entities (European Commission), pre-normative research networks (VAMAS), metrology institutes and stakeholders.
Round Tables on Microplastic Standardization
Organization and participation in two round tables between PRIORITY and representatives of national metrological institutions (NMI) and other international standardization bodies with the aim of harmonizing the activities of PRIORITY and projects initiated by NMIs such as PlasticTrace https://infrastrutturaimpresa.it/en/projects/plastictrace/. The two meetings took place at INRiM (Italian National Metrology Institute, Turin, Italy, 10/2022) and BAM (Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing, Berlin, Germany, 05/2023), respectively. Follow-up meetings are planned to make progress in the desired harmonization and standardization of measurement methods for, ideally traceable, measurement results, as well as definitions for micro- and nanoplastics research.
Collaboration with NMIs will be mutually beneficial as PRIORITY can bridge the large gap between bodies that issue working standards and measurement protocols and the rapidly growing community of institutions that measure MNP in accordance with legislation or for research purposes.
Connections with liasoning bodies
The Action PRIORITY has been introduced in a Workshop on microplastics organized by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), in the frame of TC 444 ‘Environmental characterization of solid matrices’, and in a webinar organized by the Southern Counties Materials Minerals and Mining Society (SCMMMS), managed by a committee with representation from the national metrology institute, industry and academia. In addition, some Core Group Members are actively involved in projects dealing with microplastic standardization in the frame of VAMAS (Versailles Project on Advanced Materials and Standards) that is an international initiative focused on pre-normative research in the field of advanced materials. Pre-normative research refers to scientific and technical investigations conducted with the aim of providing a basis for the development of standards and specifications, but before the formal standardization process takes place. VAMAS facilitates the harmonization of standards by promoting consensus on measurement methods and testing procedures for advanced materials.
Collaborating with VAMAS ensures that standards developed are internationally accepted and aligned, reducing discrepancies and promoting consistency in measurements across different regions (Results of VAMAS Survey Regarding Microplastic Issues, doi: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2021-h0z4j).
WG6
Future/planned activities
- PlasticsFatE Expert Stakeholder Workshop
The participating of PRIORITY at the PlasticsFatE Expert Stakeholder Workshop “Recommendations for Micro- and Nanoplastics Standards, Policy & Regulations: Finding out the needs of regulators & standardisation bodies, industry, researchers, NGOs, and consumers” will help to better understand the needs of the MNP community. Here too, PRIORITY acts as a communicator/bridge to the standardization committees.
- Two-day Workshop and Training
A two-day workshop and training organized by the WG6 and the CG is planned for the third quarter of 2024. The topics covered are the harmonization of measurement procedures and the creation of measurement protocols, definitions related to MNP measurement (metrological aspects), the proper use of reference materials and the production of test materials.
WG6
Useful documents
- Public document: ISO definitions of key terms for plastic pollution
- ISO/TR 21960:2020 – Plastics - Environmental aspects - State of knowledge and methodologies
- ISO 24187:2023 - Principles for the analysis of microplastics present in the environment
- ISO 4484-1:2023 - Textiles and textile products — Microplastics from textile sources — Part 1: Determination of material loss from fabrics during washing
- ISO 4484-2:2023- Textiles and textile products- Microplastics from textile sources - Part 2: Qualitative and quantitative analysis of microplastics
- ISO 4484-3:2023 - Textiles and textile products — Microplastics from textile sources — Part 3: Measurement of collected material mass released from textile end products by domestic washing method
- ISO/CD 16094-1 - Water quality — Analysis of microplastic in water — Part 1: General and sampling for waters with low content of suspended solids including drinking water
- ISO/DIS 16094-2 - Water quality — Analysis of microplastic in water — Part 2: Vibrational spectroscopy methods for waters with low content of suspended solids including drinking water
- ISO/CD 16094-3 - Water quality — Analysis of microplastic in water — Part 3: Thermo-analytical methods for waters with low content of suspended solids including drinking water
- ISO/DIS 5667-27 - Water quality — Sampling — Part 27: Guidance on sampling for microplastics in water
- ISO 20753:2018(en) Plastics — Test specimens
- ISO/TR 23891:2020; ISO 4611:2010(en) Plastics — Determination of the effects of exposure to damp heat, water spray and salt mist.
WG6
Technical committees
Technical committees which are/may be involved in microplastics issues
- CEN/TC 249 Plastics
- CEN/TC 61 Plastics
- CEN/TC 261 Packaging
- ISO/TC 122 Packaging
- CEN/TC 392 Cosmetics
- ISO/TC 217 Cosmetics
- CEN/TC 366 Materials obtained from end-of-Life Tyres (ELT)
- ISO/TC 45 Rubber and rubber materials
- CEN/TC 248 Textiles and textile products
- ISO/TC 38 Textile
- CEN/TC 165 Waste water engineering
- CEN/TC 230 Analysis of water
- ISO/TC 147 Water quality
- CEN/TC 308 Characterization and management of sludge
- ISO/TC 275 Sludge recovery, recycling, treatment and disposal
- CEN/TC 345 Characterization of soil
- ISO /TC 190 Soil quality
- CEN/TC 444 Test methods for the environmental characterization of solid matrices
- CEN/TC 264 Air quality
- ISO/TC 146 Air quality
WG6
State of the art
WG6 participants
- Doi: 10.1007/s10311-023-01652-9
- Doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b05297
- Doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127529
- Doi: 10.3390/molecules27165172
- Doi: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04180
- Doi: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01192
- Doi: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.3c03221
- Doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119933
- Doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116572
- Doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117409
- Doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166513
- Doi: 10.1007/s00216-023-04580-3
