Abstract

This Technical Specification gives guidance for setting up valid sampling strategies for food products that are to be analysed for the presence of genetically modified organisms and derived products.

Status
Published
Publication Date
28-Feb-2007
Current Stage
6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
Start Date
01-Mar-2007
Due Date
01-Mar-2007
Completion Date
01-Mar-2007

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Technical specification

SIST-TS CEN/TS 15568:2007

English language (16 pages)
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SIST-TS CEN/TS 15568:2007 is a CEN Technical Specification on sampling strategies for foodstuffs that will be analysed for genetically modified organisms (GMO) and derived products. It guides how to collect representative increments, prepare bulk and laboratory samples, and record the sampling so the analytical result can be related to the lot.

What does SIST-TS CEN/TS 15568:2007 specify?

SIST-TS CEN/TS 15568:2007 gives guidance for setting up valid sampling strategies for food products to be tested for GMO presence and derived products. The document is organized into a short methods chain from the scope and definitions through sampling, sample preparation, labelling, dispatch and reporting.

AnnexWhat it covers
Annex ARecommended laboratory sample sizes for cereals and oilseeds
Annex BSquare-root sampling scheme for consignments of more than 100 bags
Annex CEstimation of particle numbers in 100 mg test portions after ultra-centrifugal milling

The main clauses are:

  • Clause 4, principle
  • Clause 5, apparatus and equipment
  • Clause 6, sampling of non-packed food products
  • Clause 7, sampling of pre-packed units
  • Clause 8, preparation of the analytical sample and test portion
  • Clauses 9 to 11, packaging, dispatch and sampling report

What are the key requirements of SIST-TS CEN/TS 15568:2007?

SIST-TS CEN/TS 15568:2007 is built around representative sampling. The document treats sampling as a chain of actions, and each step matters because a poor sample can make the GMO result valid only for the sample itself, not for the lot.

Representative sampling and contamination control

Clause 4 requires enough increments to be combined into a bulk sample, then reduced to a laboratory sample, and finally ground and homogenized to the right particle size. Clause 5 says equipment must suit the product and container, be clean, and be used to avoid adventitious contamination and cross-contamination. In practice, this means the sampler has to protect the result before the laboratory work even starts.

Non-packed food products

Clause 6 gives the core procedure for non-packed products. Sampling is based on lot size and on the use of increments, with moving goods, wagons, lorries, barges, ships, silos, bins and warehouses treated differently depending on how the lot can be reached. This matters because non-uniform lots need enough well-distributed increments to support a lot-level decision.

Clause 6 also provides a way to estimate sampling uncertainty when that is needed. File increment samples are retained, sealed and analysed progressively until the uncertainty is acceptable for the contract or legal requirement, or until all retained samples have been tested. For users, this means the method can support not only a GMO estimate but also a documented uncertainty around that estimate.

Pre-packed units

Clause 7 applies to pre-packed units up to 50 kg. It requires taking increments from different parts of the unit, such as top, middle and bottom, and using a suitable selection scheme for the number of units in the consignment. The clause also warns against repeatedly choosing the same position in different outer cases or cartons, which helps avoid a biased sample.

Sample preparation and reporting

Clause 8 requires grinding and homogenization before test portions are prepared, and it calls for suitable equipment that produces a homogeneous analytical sample. Clauses 9 to 11 require secure packaging, appropriate storage and a sampling report with product, lot, transport, sampling procedure, sampler identity and observed lot heterogeneity. In practice, these records let the laboratory, buyer and seller trace exactly how the sample was taken and handled.

What terms does SIST-TS CEN/TS 15568:2007 define?

  • Consignment - the quantity delivered at one time and covered by one set of documents.
  • Lot - the stated portion of the consignment that is tested for GMO presence.
  • Increment - a quantity of material taken at one time from a larger body of material.
  • Bulk sample - the composite of the increments taken from a lot.
  • Laboratory sample - the sample prepared for sending to the laboratory and intended for inspection or testing.
  • Test portion - the whole quantity of sample used for analysis at one time.
  • Sampling uncertainty - the part of uncertainty caused by the sample not fully representing the lot and by the sampling process itself.
  • Sampling strategy - the predetermined procedure for selecting, withdrawing and preparing samples so a decision can be made on the lot.

Who uses SIST-TS CEN/TS 15568:2007?

SIST-TS CEN/TS 15568:2007 is used by laboratories, samplers, quality managers, buyers and sellers who need a defensible sampling plan for GMO analysis. It is relevant for food products and can also be applied to animal feed and plant samples from the environment. It is especially useful where contracts, lot acceptance and traceable sampling records matter.

What changed in SIST-TS CEN/TS 15568:2007 from the previous edition?

SIST-TS CEN/TS 15568:2007 is identical to CEN/TS 15568:2006.

Which standards are used with SIST-TS CEN/TS 15568:2007?

SIST-TS CEN/TS 15568:2007 relies on several companion standards for the analytical work and for sampling practice:

  • EN ISO 21569 - qualitative nucleic acid based methods for GMO detection
  • EN ISO 21570 - quantitative nucleic acid based methods for GMO detection
  • EN ISO 21571 - nucleic acid extraction and preparation
  • EN ISO 21572 - protein based methods for GMO detection
  • ISO 6644 - automatic sampling of flowing cereals and milled cereal products
  • ISO 13690 - sampling of static batches of cereals, pulses and milled products
  • EN ISO 24276 - general requirements and definitions for GMO analysis

What does the SIST-TS CEN/TS 15568:2007 document contain?

The document contains a sampling principle, equipment guidance, procedures for moving and static lots, and a separate procedure for pre-packed units. It also contains instructions for sample reduction, grinding, homogenization, packaging, dispatch and reporting. Annex A gives laboratory sample size guidance for cereals and oilseeds, Annex B illustrates a square-root scheme for bagged consignments, and Annex C discusses particle numbers after ultra-centrifugal milling.

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Technical specification

SIST-TS CEN/TS 15568:2007

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Frequently Asked Questions

SIST-TS CEN/TS 15568:2007 is a technical specification published by the Slovenian Institute for Standardization (SIST). Its full title is "Foodstuffs - Methods of analysis for the detection of genetically modified organisms and derived products - Sampling strategies". This standard covers: This Technical Specification gives guidance for setting up valid sampling strategies for food products that are to be analysed for the presence of genetically modified organisms and derived products.

This Technical Specification gives guidance for setting up valid sampling strategies for food products that are to be analysed for the presence of genetically modified organisms and derived products.

SIST-TS CEN/TS 15568:2007 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 67.050 - General methods of tests and analysis for food products. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

SIST-TS CEN/TS 15568:2007 has the following relationships with other standards: It is inter standard links to SIST-TS CEN ISO/TS 21569-10:2026, SIST EN ISO 21572:2020, SIST EN ISO 21570:2006, SIST EN ISO 21571:2005, SIST EN ISO 21569:2005, SIST EN ISO 21572:2004. Understanding these relationships helps ensure you are using the most current and applicable version of the standard.

SIST-TS CEN/TS 15568:2007 is available in PDF format for immediate download after purchase. The document can be added to your cart and obtained through the secure checkout process. Digital delivery ensures instant access to the complete standard document.

Standards Content (Sample)


SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-marec-2007
äLYLOD$QDOLWLþQHPHWRGH]DXJRWDYOMDQMHJHQVNRVSUHPHQMHQLKRUJDQL]PRYLQ
QMLKRYLKSURL]YRGRY6WUDWHJLMHY]RUþHQMD
Foodstuffs - Methods of analysis for the detection of genetically modified organisms and
derived products - Sampling strategies
Lebensmittel - Verfahren zum Nachweis von gentechnisch modifizierten Organismen und
ihren Produkten - Probenahmestrategien
Produits alimentaires - Méthodes d'analyse pour la détection des organismes
génétiquement modifiés et des produits dérivés - Stratégies d'échantillonnage
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TS 15568:2006
ICS:
67.050 Splošne preskusne in General methods of tests and
analizne metode za živilske analysis for food products
proizvode
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
CEN/TS 15568
SPÉCIFICATION TECHNIQUE
TECHNISCHE SPEZIFIKATION
December 2006
ICS 67.050
English Version
Foodstuffs - Methods of analysis for the detection of genetically
modified organisms and derived products - Sampling strategies
Produits alimentaires - Méthodes d'analyse pour la Lebensmittel - Verfahren zum Nachweis von gentechnisch
détection des organismes génétiquement modifiés et des modifizierten Organismen und ihren Produkten -
produits dérivés - Stratégies d'échantillonnage Probenahmestrategien
This Technical Specification (CEN/TS) was approved by CEN on 7 November 2006 for provisional application.
The period of validity of this CEN/TS is limited initially to three years. After two years the members of CEN will be requested to submit their
comments, particularly on the question whether the CEN/TS can be converted into a European Standard.
CEN members are required to announce the existence of this CEN/TS in the same way as for an EN and to make the CEN/TS available
promptly at national level in an appropriate form. It is permissible to keep conflicting national standards in force (in parallel to the CEN/TS)
until the final decision about the possible conversion of the CEN/TS into an EN is reached.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2006 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. CEN/TS 15568:2006: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Contents Page
Foreword.3
Introduction .4
1 Scope .5
2 Normative references .5
3 Terms and definitions .5
4 Principle.6
5 Apparatus and equipment .7
6 Sampling of non-packed food products.7
7 Sampling of pre-packed units .9
8 Preparation of the analytical sample and the test portion .10
9 Packaging and labelling of laboratory samples .10
10 Dispatch of laboratory samples .11
11 Sampling report .11
Annex A (informative) Laboratory sample sizes of different cereals and oilseeds.13
Annex B (informative) Sampling scheme for consignments of more than 100 bags according to
ISO 13690.14
Annex C (informative) Estimation of the number of particles in 100 mg test portions after ultra-
centrifugal milling.15
Bibliography .16

Foreword
This document (CEN/TS 15568:2006) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 275 “Food
analysis - Horizontal methods”, the secretariat of which is held by DIN.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
NOTE This document has been submitted to the Enquiry under reference number prEN 21568.
According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to announce this Technical Specification: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic,
Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
Introduction
Correct sampling is an operation that requires the most careful attention. Emphasis should be laid on the
necessity of obtaining a representative sample of the goods under investigation.
If ad-hoc sampling of food products is undertaken without applying a sampling strategy and without
considering the lot specific properties, the analytical result is only valid for the sample that has been analysed.
It is not possible to extend the result to the rest of the lot.
By applying sampling strategies to assess the level of compliance of a given lot of products, a certain number
of samples is taken, and the result of the analysis can be extended to the whole lot. The use of sampling
strategies is the only effective way to make correct statements about the nature, in this case the GMO-content,
of the product tested.
This Technical Specification has been established for food products, but could also be applied to other
products, e.g. animal feed and plant samples from the environment.
NOTE In certain areas there are widely recognised trade associations which specify rules for the sampling strategies
to be used in contracts under their auspices. In no case will this Technical Specification override the rules laid down in
such contracts.
1 Scope
This Technical Specification gives guidance for setting up valid sampling strategies for food products that are
to be analysed for the presence of genetically modified organisms and derived products.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
EN ISO 21569, Foodstuffs — Methods of analysis for the detection of genetically modified organisms and
derived products — Qualitative nucleic acid based methods (ISO 21569:2005)
EN ISO 21570, Foodstuffs — Methods of analysis for the detection of genetically modified organisms and
derived products — Quantitative nucleic acid based methods (ISO 21570:2005)
EN ISO 21571, Foodstuffs — Methods of analysis for the detection of genetically modified organisms and
derived products — Nucleic acid extraction (ISO 21571:2005)
EN ISO 21572, Foodstuffs — Methods for the detection of genetically modified organisms and derived
products — Protein based methods (ISO 21572:2004)
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1 Consignment
quantity of some commodity delivered at one time and covered by one set of documents. The consignment
may consist of one or more lots or part(s) of lots
[ISO 7002:1986]
3.2 Lot
stated portion of the consignment to be tested for presence of GMO
3.3 Increment
quantity of material taken at one time from a larger body of material
NOTE Increments may be tested individually aiming at estimation of the variation of any characteristic throughout a
lot (or between lots).
[ISO 7002:1986]
3.4 Item
actual or conventional object (a defined quantity) on which a set of observations may be made
[ISO 7002:1986]
3.5 Sample
one or more items (or a portion of material) selected in a prescribed or systematic manner from a lot
NOTE It is intended to provide information representative of the lot, and, possibly, to serve as a basis for decision on
the lot.
3.6 File increment sample
increment that is retained for a specific period of time for further analysis
3.7 Bulk sample
composite of the increments taken from a lot
3.8 Laboratory sample
sample as prepared for sending to the laboratory and intended for inspection or testing
[ISO 7002:1986]
3.9 Test portion
sample, as prepared for testing or analysis, the whole quantity being used for analysis or testing at one time
[ISO 3534-1:2006]
3.10 Lot size
number of items or quantity of material constituting the lot
[ISO 7002:1986]
3.11 Sample size
number of items or quantity of material constituting the sample
[ISO 7002:1986]
3.12 Sample division
process of selecting one or more representative sub-samples from a sample by such means as riffling or
mechanical dividing
3.13 Sampling uncertainty
part of the total estimation uncertainty due to one or several of the following:
- the failing of a sample to accurately represent the lot;
- the random nature of sampling;
- the known and accepted characteristics of the sampling strategy
3.14 Sampling strategy
predetermined procedure for the selection, withdrawal and preparation of samples from a lot to yield the
required information so that a decision can be made regarding the acceptance of the lot
[ISO 7002:1986]
4 Principle
In this Technical Specification sampling is considered to consist of the following steps:
 collection of a sufficient number of increments from a lot to form the bulk sample;
 reduction of the bulk sample to the laboratory sample;
 grinding the laboratory sample to the appropriate particle size and homogenisation.
Samples shall be representative of the lots from which they are taken. Therefore, as the composition of a lot is
seldom uniform, a sufficient number of increments shall be taken and carefully mixed, thus giving a bulk
sample from which the laboratory sample is obtained by successive divisions or otherwise.
If it is necessary to determine the sampling uncertainty, file increment samples should be kept for further
analysis.
Appropriate measures shall be taken to avoid any alteration in the composition of the samples.
5 Apparatus and equipment
Many different types of sampling instruments or equipment are available. Equipment should be chosen as
appropriate for the food products to be sampled and the quantity and containers involved. Examples of
sampling instruments are given in e.g. ISO 13690 and ISO 6644. Special care is necessary to ensure that all
sampling apparatus is clean to avoid contamination of the material under investigation.
Sampling shall be carried out in such a manner as to protect the samples, the sampling instruments and the
container in which the samples are placed, from adventitious contamination. Special attention shall be paid to
avoid cross-contamination during the sampling procedure between different lots. Material adhering to the
outside of the sampling instrument shall be removed before the contents are discharged.
6 Sampling of non-packed food products
6.1 Statistical principles
Lot distribution properties affect the efficiency of sampling strategies [5]. Where the variable of interest is
randomly distributed within the lot under investigation, the sampling uncertainty can be estimated according to
the binomial distribution [6]. However, in reality, non-packed food product lots may show non-random
distributions [7], and lot heterogeneity should be taken into account when defining sampling procedures
statistically.
This sampling protocol provides a way of estimating the sampling uncertainty associated with the overall GMO
content of a lot without imposing any distribution assumption.
The Standard Deviation (SD) of the increment GMO content estimates may be interpreted as an indicator of
the lot heterogeneity and in highly heterogeneous lots as an indication of the sampling uncertainty. Generally,
the larger the standard deviation, the larger is the sampling uncertainty in highly heterogeneous lots.
6.2 Procedure
6.2.1 General
This protocol is designed to provide an estimate of the GMO content of the lot based on a bulk sample. If an
estimate of the sampling uncertainty is required, 6.2.3 describes a procedure to determine it.
6.2.2 Sampling of increments
Lots should be sampled following the technical principles given in ISO 6644 as described in 6.3 and
ISO 13690 as described in 6.4.
The number of sampling points, where the increments for creating the bulk sample and the file increment
samples are taken is defined according to the lot size. In case of lots from 50 t to 500 t, the size of the bulk
sample should be 0,01 % of the total lot size. In case of lots smaller than 50 t, the size of the bulk sample
should be 5 kg. In case of lots larger than 500 t, the size of the bulk sample should be 50 kg (see Table 1).
...