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About the Association
During the past 121 years, AOAC INTERNATIONAL (formerly the Association
of Official Analytical Chemists and before that the Association of Official
Agricultural Chemists) evolved from a group of chemists in the U.S. Department
of Agriculture and the individual states into an independent scientific
Association of analytical scientists with members throughout the world.
Today, AOAC is the leader in providing validated methods, proficiency
test samples, accreditation criteria, and scientific information to industry,
government agencies, and academic institutions.
MISSION
AOAC INTERNATIONAL advances
the global chemistry and microbiology analytical community by promoting
methods validation and quality measurements.
AOAC METHODS VALIDATION PROGRAMS
To further its mission, the Association’s primary programs focus
on the validation of chemical and microbiological analytical methods.
These validation programs are: the AOAC® Official MethodsSM Program,
the program of choice when the highest level of confidence is desired;
the AOAC® Peer-Verified MethodsSM Program, used when speed of validation
is essential and a lesser degree of confidence is acceptable; and the
AOAC® Performance Tested MethodsSM Program used to test the performance
of test kits. Over 800 volunteer scientists, working in industry, government,
and academic laboratories worldwide largely accomplish the actual work
of validation.
The methods found in this 18th Edition of the Official Methods of Analysis
of AOAC INTERNATIONAL have been validated within the AOAC® Official
MethodsSM Program. Candidates for AOAC® Official MethodSM status are
subjected to collaborative study by eight or more laboratories, according
to internationally recognized standards and receive rigorous scientific
review of performance results.
AOAC validated methods are used by government, industry, and academia
throughout the world for analysis of a variety of commodities—particularly
those related to food, agriculture, public health and safety, and the
environment. In fact, many of the validated methods in this edition have
been adopted by industry and government agencies as de facto standards
in the operation of their laboratories.
OTHER PROGRAMS
The Association also has several programs that assist laboratory managers
in measuring the accuracy of analytical results, improve professional
development, and provide the opportunity for scientists to interact.
THE AOAC® LABORATORY PROFICIENCY TESTING
PROGRAM
The AOAC® Laboratory Proficiency Testing Program provides an independent
assessment of the accuracy and reliability of analytical results in the
analysis of a wide range of analytes and matrix. Program modules include
Standard Microbiology, HACCP, Nutritional Labeling, and Pesticide Residues
in Fruits and Vegetables.
TECHNICAL DIVISIONS
The goals of the AOAC technical divisions are to improve the overall
quality of laboratory operations and foster harmonization of laboratory
procedures and systems. The Technical Division for Laboratory Management
helps laboratory managers improve the operations of their laboratories
through the exchange of ideas and through professional development activities.
The Technical Division on Reference Materials improves the quality of
analytical measurements through the use of reference materials.
TRAINING COURSES
AOAC INTERNATIONAL offers a series of courses that provide hands-on training
in specific topical areas, and assist analytical scientists to acquire
the skills they need to address daily challenges faced in their laboratories.
Current offerings include courses on quality assurance for analytical
and microbiological laboratories, ISO 17025, ISO audit systems, and single
laboratory validation.
COOPERATIVE ACTIVITIES
AOAC INTERNATIONAL has established joint committees, liaisons, and representation
with numerous scientific organizations worldwide. The Association served
as the Secretariat of the InterAgency Meeting, an affiliation of 16 international
organizations active in the field of analysis and sampling of food products
and associated quality assurance measures in conjunction with the Joint
FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius. The Association also participates in the meetings
of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO), the European Community for Standardization, the
World Health Organization, the Pan American Health Organization, and other
international groups, both private and government sponsored. Such arrangements
enable AOAC INTERNATIONAL to express its basic policies on the development
of internationally acceptable methods of analysis and provide secretariats
with basic information regarding AOAC’s philosophy and procedures.
AOAC-appointed Liaison Officers coordinate AOAC activities with national,
state, provincial, municipal, local agencies and industries and their
affiliated organizations, and other method organizations that have oral
or written cooperative agreements with AOAC INTERNATIONAL.
MEETINGS AND EXPOSITIONS
The AOAC INTERNATIONAL Annual Meeting and Exposition is recognized worldwide
as the most significant meeting for quality assurance and laboratory management
professionals dealing with regulated commodities. The annual scientific
program includes cutting-edge information from the world’s most
respected scientists and laboratories. Through the scientific symposia,
poster sessions, workshops, forums, and short courses, meeting attendees
enhance their analytical expertise, share their research, and strengthen
contacts with their colleagues from around the world. The Annual Laboratory
Exposition held at the Annual Meeting features over 100 displays of the
state of the art in laboratory products and services.
SECTIONS
AOAC INTERNATIONAL has 13 Sections and 3 Subsections located in North
America, Europe, Japan, Latin America and the Caribbean. Sections provide
opportunities for AOAC members to gather and share information on a more
local level, to build and expand their network of professional contacts,
enhance their leadership skills, and gain practical management experience.
All Sections are managed by an elected group of local volunteers.
PUBLICATIONS
In addition to the Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC INTERNATIONAL,
the Association publishes the Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL and a variety
of other publications. AOAC’s Journal contains original fully refereed
research articles and reports on current collaborative study data, including
information on inter- and intralaboratory performance precision, which
enables the users of the AOAC® Official MethodsSM to make informed
choices about the appropriate use of a particular method. Inside Laboratory
Management, a full-color bimonthly magazine contains technical and general
articles on laboratory management, regulations, emerging technologies,
instrumentation, and other areas pertinent to laboratory procedures, management,
and quality control.
AOAC’s other publications include manuals, methods compilations,
and monographs covering subjects that include quality assurance, statistics,
food analysis, agricultural analysis, laboratory management, and pesticide
analysis.
AWARDS
Each year, the Association presents a number of awards in recognition
of outstanding contributions to analytical methodology in areas of interest
to AOAC INTERNATIONAL, meritorious service to the Association, and outstanding
work in the AOAC® Official MethodsSM Program. AOAC INTERNATIONAL also
awards an annual scholarship to encourage study in fields that support
the mission of the Association.
MEMBERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE
AOAC INTERNATIONAL is an association comprised of nearly 4000 individual
and 300 organizational members from more than 90 countries. Individual
members are laboratory managers, analytical chemists, microbiologists,
toxicologists, forensic scientists, and management executives working
in industry, government, and academia. Organizational members are corporations,
commercial laboratories, government agencies, and universities.
An elected Board of Directors governs the Association. The Official Methods
Board, the Editorial Board, special and standing committees, Referee positions
concerned with the validation of methods, liaison positions with other
organizations, and a headquarters staff advance and support the mission
of the Association.
For further information about AOAC INTERNATIONAL and its programs and
activities, contact the Association at:
AOAC INTERNATIONAL
481 N. Frederick Ave, Suite 500
Gaithersburg, MD 20877-2417,
USA Tel: +1-800-379-2622
(Toll free from North America) +1-301-924-7077
(Worldwide) Fax: +1-301-924-7089
E-mail: aoac@aoac.org
Web site: http://www.aoac.org
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