Inter-calibration exercises

Endeavors promoting development, validation and refinement of toxicity testing procedures 3.1.1 Test method development 3.1.2 Inter-calibration exercises 3.1.3 Comparative studies... 

Beyond test development and validation, inter-calibration exercises (also known as round robin or inter-laboratory exercises ) are mandatory steps that must be undertaken if a toxicity test method is intended for standardization. These exercises... 

For example, inter-calibration exercises have been undertaken with algae (Thellen et al., 1989), bacteria (Ribo, 1997 Ross et al., 1999 ), fish cells (Gagne et al., 1999a), invertebrates (Cowgill, 1986 Persoone et al., 1993 Burton et al., 1996 Hayes et al., 1996), protozoans (Dive et al., 1990), and test organisms of several biotic levels (Rue et al., 1988 Ronco et al., 2002). 

If toxicity tests fulfill the scientific criteria set out by inter-calibration exercises, they can then be considered for the standardization process. If this process is followed, an official toxicity test method document is eventually produced that ensures proper conduct of biological tests (see Section 3.2.1). 

Test method standardization (TMS) calls for several actions that involve 1) preparation of a formal draft test method document for each bioassay intended for standardization, 2) a critical review by an expert subcommittee, 3) the preparation of a final draft test method, 4) an international peer review of each test method, 5) an inter-calibration exercise of the final draft test method, 6) finalization of each test method and 7) the formal publication of the toxicity test method document. Environment Canada (EC) has been particularly active in biological test method standardization and has thus far contributed 18 standardized aquatic and sediment... 

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