Considering uncertainty of measurement when assessing compliance or non-compliance with reference values given in compositional specifications and statutory limits : a proposal

Considering the uncertainty of measurement (UOM) is mandatory when assessing compliance with reference values given in compositional specifications and statutory limits, but the matter is still open to question. Working in the signal or concentration domains and considering false negative together with false positive errors are the main points of debate. Frequently, the available approaches look too simplified for being accurate or too complex (since more rigorously formulated from a theoretical point of view) for being largely acceptable. In the Authors opinion, assessing compliance with reference values given in compositional specifications and statutory limits is a problem similar to that of estimating the limit of detection. This allows proposing a simple operational approach based on well-known and accepted assumptions and approximations. This proposal, described in the light of the most recent literature information, is aimed to stimulate a critical discussion in view of evaluating possible corrections to the generally accepted approach.