What is the MoniQA methods database?
MoniQA’s database allows rapid searching of relevant analytical methods for specific analytes including information about the degree of validation, legal requirements and limits, and the availability of methods. The database is structured around two key elements: comprehensive lists of contaminants and commodities (or matrices) in which contaminants may pose a threat to human health. All data sources are linked to these elements and users gain access to current information via commodity and contaminant searches.
The unique selling point of the MoniQA database is the ability to search for any commodity and/or contaminant, and obtain the all relevant legislation as well as analytical and sampling methods in combination with information from the EU’s Rapid Alert System on Food and Feed (RASFF). Where possible, data are linked to appropriate product and hazard classification with respect to legislation. The database also presents data in graphical form, and EU provenance issues and a thesaurus of terms are included. The data are extended and updated continuously.
Currently, work is in progress to extend the database capability to include Spanish, Portuguese (to cover South America) and Chinese, and empirical formula for contaminants for integration with analytical equipment. The database is linked to related online resources, and the content will be extended to include levels of validation for specific analytical methods and commercially available rapid methods and test kits, which have undergone inter-laboratory validation. The thesaurus lists and explains terms and abbreviations used in conjunction with method validation and standardisation, and attempts to create a common understanding of validation criteria and terminology, and harmonise the terms used by standardisation bodies and laboratories in Europe and other regions and countries.
Access to the database is currently free-of-charge to registered users. FC24 offers online interrogation of RASFF. It was developed as commercial food safety information by FERA before MoniQA started, and it became apparent during 2005 that some of the FC24 infrastructure would facilitate the MoniQA database. Rather than run parallel databases with the added complexity of maintenance and currency, FC24 and the MoniQA database were merged to generate a more comprehensive resource for current users and make maintenance and development more effective and cost efficient.
Contact: Miles Thomas (Miles [dot] Thomas [AT] fera [dot] gsi [dot] gov [dot] uk), FERA, UK
How can I sign up?
To register for free database use and to view terms and conditions, please go to https://www.moniqa.org/user/register.
Access to MoniQA’s Database is open to the public and free of charge during 2010 - download and follow the instructions in the document “the MoniQA Methods Database in Seven Easy Steps” (see attachment below)
Please note that your free access is granted for a trial period of 60 days. Only parts of the database are currently available for associate partners.
Where can I find out more?
- Please find attached a description of the features of the MoniQA database.
- For detailed information about the Methods Database you can also go to www.moniqa.org/database
- For questions or queries email us at moniqa [AT] moniqa [dot] org
- To become an Associate Partner visit http://www.moniqa.org/associates
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