Elaboration of Four Olive Oil Certified Reference Materials: InterOleo-CRM 2006 Certification Study

The study for the elaboration and certification of four olive oil reference materials covering all the physical–chemical characteristics, defined in Commission Regulation (EC) 1989/2003, is reported herein. The different steps of the process, preparation of reference materials, homogeneity and stability studies, and characterization study have been carried out for 14 laboratories from five European countries. The certificate of analysis for these certified reference materials (CRMs) provide assigned values for concentrations of more than 50 parameters or characteristics of olive oils in compliance with the European legislation about the labeling of food products. The certified values and its corresponding uncertainties were obtained applying robust statistics to the raw data provided by the laboratories taking part in the interlaboratory study. The certificate is valid for a maximum period of 18 months from the elaboration date. These four CRMs are intended for use as a primary material for quality control and for validation of analytical methods for measurements in authentication and adulteration problems of olive oils.