{
  "url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2007-333/annex/part-C/division-C.3/division-C.3.3/division-C.3.3.1",
  "json_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2007-333/annex/part-C/division-C.3/division-C.3.3/division-C.3.3.1.json",
  "legislation": "eur/2007/333",
  "legislation_title": "Commission Regulation (EC) No 333/2007 of 28 March 2007 laying down the methods of sampling and analysis for the control of the levels of trace elements and processing contaminants in foodstuffs (Text with EEA relevance)",
  "legislation_url": "https://openlegislation.uk/eu-regulation-2007-333",
  "path": "annex/part/C/division/C.3/division/C.3.3/division/C.3.3.1",
  "kind": "division",
  "number": "C.3.3.1",
  "heading": "Performance criteria",
  "text": "Where no specific methods for the determination of contaminants in foodstuffs are prescribed ..., laboratories may select any validated method of analysis for the respective matrix provided that the selected method meets the specific performance criteria set out in Tables 5, 6 and 7.\nIt is recommended that fully validated methods (i.e. methods validated by collaborative trial for the respective matrix) are used where appropriate and available. Other suitable validated methods (e.g. in-house validated methods for the respective matrix) may also be used provided that they fulfil the performance criteria set out in Tables 5, 6 and 7.\nWhere possible, the validation of in-house validated methods shall include a certified reference material.\n(a)Performance criteria for methods of analysis for lead, cadmium, mercury, inorganic tin and inorganic arsenic\nTable 5\nParameter\nCriterion\nApplicability\nFoods specified in Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006\nSpecificity\nFree from matrix or spectral interferences\nRepeatability (RSD r )\nHORRAT r less than 2\nReproducibility (RSD R )\nHORRAT R less than 2\nRecovery\nThe provisions of point D.1.2 apply\nLOD\n= three tenths of LOQ\nLOQ\nInorganic tin\n≤ 10 mg/kg\nLead\nML ≤ 0,01 mg/kg\n0,01 < ML ≤ 0,02 mg/kg\n0,02 < ML < 0,1 mg/kg\nML ≥ 0,1 mg/kg\n≤ ML\n≤ two thirds of the ML\n≤ two fifths of the ML\n≤ one fifth of the ML\nCadmium, mercury, inorganic arsenic\nML is < 0,100 mg/kg\nML is ≥ 0,100 mg/kg\n≤ two fifths of the ML\n≤ one fifth of the ML\n(b)Performance criteria for methods of analysis for 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD), 3-MCPD fatty acid esters and glycidyl fatty acid esters:\nPerformance criteria for methods of analysis for 3-MCPD in foods specified in point 4.1 of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006\nTable 6a\nParameter\nCriterion\nApplicability\nFoods specified in point 4.1 of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006\nSpecificity\nFree from matrix or spectral interferences\nField blanks\nLess than LOD\nRepeatability (RSD r )\n0,66 times RSD R as derived from (modified) Horwitz equation\nReproducibility (RSD R )\nas derived from (modified) Horwitz equation\nRecovery\n75-110 %\nLimit of Detection (LOD)\n≤ 5 μg/kg (on dry matter basis)\nLimit of Quantification (LOQ)\n≤ 10 μg/kg (on dry matter basis)\nPerformance criteria for methods of analysis for 3-MCPD in foods specified in point 4.3 of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006\nTable 6b\nParameter\nCriterion\nApplicability\nFoods specified in point 4.3 of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006\nSpecificity\nFree from matrix or spectral interferences\nField blanks\nLess than LOD\nRepeatability (RSD r )\n0,66 times RSD R as derived from (modified) Horwitz equation\nReproducibility (RSD R )\nas derived from (modified) Horwitz equation\nRecovery\n75-110 %\nLimit of Detection (LOD)\n≤ 7 μg/kg\nLimit of Quantification (LOQ)\n≤ 14 μg/kg\nPerformance criteria for methods of analysis for 3-MCPD fatty acid esters, expressed as 3-MCPD , in foods specified in point 4.3 of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006\nTable 6c\nParameter\nCriterion\nApplicability\nFoods specified in point 4.3 of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006\nSpecificity\nFree from matrix or spectral interferences\nRepeatability (RSD r )\n0,66 times RSD R as derived from (modified) Horwitz equation\nReproducibility (RSD R )\nas derived from (modified) Horwitz equation\nRecovery\n70-125 %\nLimit of Detection (LOD)\nThree tenths of LOQ\nLimit of Quantification (LOQ)\nfor foods specified in 4.3.1 and 4.3.2\n≤ 100 μg/kg in oils and fats\nLimit of Quantification (LOQ)\nfor foods specified in 4.3.3 and in 4.3.4 with a fat content < 40 %\n≤ two fifths of the ML\nLimit of Quantification (LOQ)\nfor foods specified in 4.3.4 with a fat content ≥ 40 %\n≤ 15 μg/kg fat\nPerformance criteria for methods of analysis for glycidyl fatty acid esters, expressed as glycidol, in foods specified in point 4.2 of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006\nTable 6d\nParameter\nCriterion\nApplicability\nFoods specified in point 4.2 of the Annex to Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006\nSpecificity\nFree from matrix or spectral interferences\nRepeatability (RSD r )\n0,66 times RSD R as derived from (modified) Horwitz equation\nReproducibility (RSD R )\nas derived from (modified) Horwitz equation\nRecovery\n70-125 %\nLimit of Detection (LOD)\nThree tenths of LOQ\nLimit of Quantification (LOQ)\nfor foods specified in 4.2.1 and 4.2.2\n≤ 100 μg/kg in oils and fats\nLimit of Quantification (LOQ)\nfor foods specified in 4.2.3 with a fat content < 65 % and in 4.2.4 with a fat content < 8 %\n≤ two fifths of the ML\nLimit of Quantification (LOQ)\nfor foods specified in 4.2.3 with a fat content ≥ 65 % and in 4.2.4 with a fat content ≥ 8 %\n≤ 31 μg/kg fat\n(c)Performance criteria for methods of analysis for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons:\nThe four polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons to which these criteria apply are benzo(a)pyrene, benz(a)anthracene, benzo(b)fluoranthene and chrysene.\nTable 7\nParameter\nCriterion\nApplicability\nFoods specified in Regulation (EC) No 1881/2006\nSpecificity\nFree from matrix or spectral interferences, verification of positive detection\nRepeatability (RSD r )\nHORRAT r less than 2\nReproducibility (RSD R )\nHORRAT R less than 2\nRecovery\n50-120 %\nLOD\n≤ 0,30 μg/kg for each of the four substances\nLOQ\n≤ 0,90 μg/kg for each of the four substances\n(d)Performance criteria for methods of analysis for acrylamide:\nTable 8\nParameter\nCriterion\nApplicability\nAll foods\nSpecificity\nFree from matrix or spectral interferences\nField blanks\nLess than Limit of Detection (LOD)\nRepeatability (RSD r )\n0,66 times RSD R as derived from (modified) Horwitz equation\nReproducibility (RSD R )\nas derived from (modified) Horwitz equation\nRecovery\n75-110 %\nLimit of Detection (LOD)\nThree tenths of LOQ\nLimit of Quantification (LOQ)\nFor foods with benchmark levels < 125 μg/kg: ≤ two fifths of the benchmark level, however not required to be lower than 20 μg/kg\nFor foods with benchmark level ≥ 125 μg/kg: ≤ 50 μg/kg\n(e)Performance criteria for methods of analysis for perchlorate:\nTable 9\nParameter\nCriterion\nApplicability\nAll foods\nSpecificity\nFree from matrix or spectral interferences\nRepeatability (RSD r )\n0,66 times RSD R as derived from (modified) Horwitz equation\nReproducibility (RSD R )\nas derived from (modified) Horwitz equation\nRecovery\n70-110 %\nLimit of Detection (LOD)\nThree tenths of LOQ\nLimit of Quantification (LOQ)\n≤ two fifths of the ML\n(f)Notes to the performance criteria:\nThe Horwitz equation (for concentrations 1,2 x 10 -7 ≤ C ≤ 0,138) and the modified Horwitz equation (for concentrations C < 1,2 × 10 -7 ) are generalised precision equations which are independent of analyte and matrix but solely dependent on concentration for most routine methods of analysis.\nModified Horwitz equation for concentrations C < 1,2 × 10 -7 :\nRSD R = 22 %\nwhere:\nRSD R is the relative standard deviation calculated from results generated under reproducibility conditions\nC is the concentration ratio (i.e. 1 = 100g/100g, 0,001 = 1 000 mg/kg). The modified Horwitz equation applies to concentrations C < 1,2 × 10 -7 .\nHorwitz equation for concentrations 1,2 x 10 -7 ≤ C ≤ 0,138:\nRSD R = 2C (- 0,15 )\nwhere:\nRSD R is the relative standard deviation calculated from results generated under reproducibility conditions\nC is the concentration ratio (i.e. 1 = 100g/100g, 0,001 = 1 000 mg/kg). The Horwitz equation applies to concentrations 1,2 x 10 -7 ≤ C ≤ 0,138.",
  "extent": "E+W+S+N.I.",
  "status": null,
  "version": "current",
  "annotations": [
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F1",
      "text": "Substituted by Commission Regulation (EU) No 836/2011 of 19 August 2011 amending Regulation (EC) No 333/2007 laying down the methods of sampling and analysis for the official control of the levels of lead, cadmium, mercury, inorganic tin, 3-MCPD and benzo(a)pyrene in foodstuffs (Text with EEA relevance)."
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F2",
      "text": "Words in Annex para. C.3.3.1 omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of S.I. 2019/639, reg. 30(e) (as substituted by The Food and Feed Hygiene and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1504), regs. 1(2), 8(10))"
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F3",
      "text": "Substituted by Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/582 of 15 April 2016 amending Regulation (EC) No 333/2007 as regards the analysis of inorganic arsenic, lead and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and certain performance criteria for analysis (Text with EEA relevance)."
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F4",
      "text": "Substituted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2093 of 29 November 2019 amending Regulation (EC) No 333/2007 as regards the analysis of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) fatty acid esters, glycidyl fatty acid esters, perchlorate and acrylamide (Text with EEA relevance)."
    },
    {
      "type": "F",
      "label": "F5",
      "text": "Inserted by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/2093 of 29 November 2019 amending Regulation (EC) No 333/2007 as regards the analysis of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) fatty acid esters, glycidyl fatty acid esters, perchlorate and acrylamide (Text with EEA relevance)."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f1",
      "text": "W. Horwitz, L.R. Kamps, K.W. Boyer, J.Assoc.Off.Analy.Chem.,63, 1980, 1344-1354."
    },
    {
      "type": "footnote",
      "label": "f2",
      "text": "M. Thompson, Analyst, 125, 2000, 385-386."
    }
  ],
  "outstanding_effects": [],
  "provenance": {
    "source": "legislation.gov.uk",
    "source_url": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/eur/2007/333/annex/part/C/division/C.3/division/C.3.3/division/C.3.3.1",
    "retrieved_at": "2026-11-01T14:53:01.572573+00:00"
  },
  "licence": "Open Government Licence v3.0",
  "licence_url": "https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/",
  "attribution": "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
}