Background information
This questions rising during the accreditation of environmental testing of soils and formulating the scope of accreditation for sampling in accordance with the requirement of ISO 18400 series of standards.
Fig.1 (page VІІ) „Links between the essential elements of an investigation programme“ of ISO 18400-102 “Soil quality – Sampling – Part 102: Selection and application of sampling techniques” and the similar fig.1 (page VІІI) of ISO 18400-104 “Soil quality – Sampling – Part 104: Strategies”, describing sequence and subordination of essential elements for soil testing.
We would like to ask following questions:
- What part of this standard give the requirements for sampling method? ISO 18400-102 “Soil quality – Sampling – Part 102: Selection and application of sampling techniques” give requirements for the sampling method, or give requirements only for sampling devices?
- What part of this standard is mandatory to assess (to witness) during the accreditation process (onsite assessment) for “sampling method” of soils? What part of this standard should be given in the scope of accreditation for “sampling method” of soils?
- Granting accreditation for soils sampling only according to ISO 18400-104 “Soil quality – Sampling – Part 104: Strategies” (without granting accreditation for ISO 18400-102 “Soil quality – Sampling – Part 102: Selection and application of sampling techniques”) is correct, or this part (ISO 18400-104) gives only design of sampling programmes?
ISO 18400 Standard part 104 gives only design of sampling programmes (planning) and should be accredited always in combination with ISO 18400 part 102 (or other similar standards) which give the sampling methods (techniques) and not only requirements for equipment.
Note: the ISO 18400 series will probably replace the ISO 10381 series soon.