New documents online
The latest version of the MicroVal Rules and Certification Scheme has been made available. They can be found under Rules & Standards.
A new subject has been added to the website. An indication of the Certification costs can be found under Fees.
Official start of MicroVal validation and certification
PRESS RELEASE MicroVal dd. 2005-09-27
MicroVal is a European organization for the validation and certification of EN-ISO 16140 - Protocol for the validation of the alternative methods forms the basis of the European certification of alternative methods in accordance with the new European legislation.
Recently MicroVal has started the validatation and certification process for several test kits. The MicroVal Certification Body responsible for the entire certification process is Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance (LRQA), The Netherlands. The validation process will be carried out by the MicroVal Expert Laboratory Campden & Chorleywood Food Research Association (CCFRA), UK.
If the studies progress successfully MicroVal will present the first certificates in the spring of 2006.
For more information, contact MicroVal secretariat. tel. +31 15 269 01 12, www.microval.org and email microval@nen.nl.
MicroVal: new MicroVal Certification Bodies-Group
PRESS RELEASE MicroVal
dd. 2005-09-12
MicroVal is a European organization for the validation and approval of alternative methods for the microbiological analysis of food and beverages. The EN-ISO 16140 - Protocol for the validation of the alternative methods forms the basis of European certification of alternative methods.
Formerly we announced that two new Certification Bodies had entered the MicroVal organisation. Recently they have officially become the MicroVal Certification Bodies-group (MCB-group) by signing a Multilateral Recognition Agreement. The MCB-group now consists of AFAQ AFNOR CERTIFICATION, Lloyd's Register Q.A. and TNO Certification B.V.
MICROVAL CERTIFICATION BULLETIN NR.3
Validation of alternative methods in vital phase
2005 is an important, vital year for the MicroVal organization! We expect to start the first certifications in the spring of this year. The certification procedure has been made less time-consuming and the support of public authorities, manufacturers and industry has been enlarged.
MicroVal consisted of two MicroVal Certification Bodies (MCBs) until mid 2003, AFNOR Certification and DIN Certco. The latter one withdrew as MCB due to lack of financial support for active participation. With one MCB the organization was not very viable. Therefore the MV secretariat initiated several actions.
Market need
Market research has been conducted to further evaluate the market need, as noted in MV Bulletin nr. 2. Several European manufactures were asked to participate in this research. The responses indicated a strong market need for validation/certification on a European level.
MicroVal Certification Bodies (MCBs)
Following this research the MV secretariat carried out discussions with possible Certification Bodies, which resulted in membership of two new MCBs, TNO Certification B.V. and Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance next to AFAQ AFNOR CERTIFICATION.
Mid 2004 the MCB-group met for the first time in their new composition at a meeting in Rotterdam. They decided to revise MicroVal documents amongst which 'MV Rules and Certification Scheme' (General Rules of MV organisation). It is the intention of the MCBs to simplify the Rules and make the procedure faster and less expensive.
EU
To strengthen our position we had discussions with several interested parties amongst which the food industry, European Commission (EC) and the FLEP (Food Law Enforcement Practioners). All these parties express their support to MicroVal. The draft Commission Regulation on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs in its present form lays down certain conditions for the use of alternative methods. Both validation and certification have to be in accordance with the protocol set in EN/ISO 16140 or other internationally accepted similar protocols. The MicroVal procedures follow these requirements. The FLEP forwarded a letter in which they recognize and support MicroVal. A letter of support is currently being prepared by the food industry (Nestlé/ Danône/ Kraft/ Unilever).
MGC meeting
At the 5th MGC meeting, which took place in October 2004 in Brussels, several procedures were been considered. Representatives of Nestlé, Masterfoods and Bioline (see composition MGC) were appointed. The MGC has agreed to a number of changes proposed by the certifying organisations (the MCB group).
For example, 'laboratory reviewers' have been removed from the system. The reviewers were meant to ascertain whether or not the Expert laboratory, which is responsible for the testkit validation, conformed to the required qualifications. This is superfluous, as one of the requirements that MicroVal places on Expert laboratories is that they are accredited according to ISO 17025.
Also, instead of both a 'technical' and a 'quality' auditor, a choice has been made to select a single auditor who has both technical experience and experience auditing quality systems. All these changes means for the manufacturer a reduction of time spent on the procedure (on the order of several weeks) in addition to lower costs.
Representatives of AOAC and NordVal attended the MGC meeting in October as observers. At this meeting AOAC indicated that they are starting a project with the FDA to find the best method for international microbiological validation. They have asked MicroVal to join one of their working groups and will shortly communicate the role MicroVal is to play in this group.
MicroVal: Again a new Certification Body
PRESS RELEASE MicroVal
dd. 2004-03-17
MicroVal is a European organization for the validation and approval of alternative methods for the microbiological analysis of food and beverages.
With the publication of EN/ISO 16140 - Protocol for the validation of the alternative methods the last hurdle has been removed for the implementation of the validation and certification procedures as outlined by their document 'MicroVal Rules and Certification Scheme'. The EN/ISO standard forms the basis of European certification of alternative methods.
The developments at the end of last year included discussions with representatives of the EC that led to MicroVal being recognized as a valid third-party certification body, support of the Food Law Enforcement Practitioners (FLEP) and a number of parties from the food industry.
In addition to the information in the previous press release, we can now announce that TNO Certification officially has entered the MCB-group as a MicroVal Certification Body (MCB). TNO certification was involved in the early stages of MicroVal development and recent progress means that the current status of MicroVal meets TNO standards. TNO Certification will start the process of validation and certification of alternative methods.
TNO Certification is an independent Dutch institution certifying and delivering quality certificates for both products and systems. It relies on the expertise of the entire TNO organisation in implementing system tests and assessing products. TNO has been active in the nutrition and food research market for over 60 years. Its research and consulting services have provided invaluable support to the business community and the government alike. The assessment by TNO Certification supports the wish of many clients to be certified by experts who can connect 'seamlessly', whilst maintaining strict independence to meet the requirements of separation between consultancy and certification.
Information
For more information about TNO Certification see http://www.tno-certification.nl and for MV
information, contact MicroVal secretariat, tel. +31 (015) 269 01 12,
http://www.microval.org and email microval@nen.nl.
MicroVal to start certification with new standard
PRESS RELEASE MicroVal
dd. 2003-12-01
MicroVal is a European organization for the validation and approval of alternative methods for the microbiological analysis of food and beverages.
With the publication of EN/ISO 16140 - Protocol for the validation of the alternative methods the last hurdle has been removed for the implementation of the validation and certification procedures as outlined by their document 'MicroVal Rules and Certification Scheme'. The EN/ISO standard forms the basis of European certification of alternative methods.
Recent developments include discussions with representatives of the EC that led to MicroVal being recognized as a valid third-party certification body, support of the Food Law Enforcement Practitioners (FLEP) and a number of parties from the food industry.
Another important development is that Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance has become a MicroVal Certification Body that will also start the process of validation and certification of alternative methods.
For more information, contact MicroVal secretariat. Tel. +31 (0)15 269 01 12, http://www.microval.org and email microval@nen.nl.