1.1 This practice establishes uniform standards for estimating and expressing the precision and bias of applicable test methods for Committee D19 on Water. Statements of precision and bias in test methods are required by the Form and Style for ASTM Standards, “Section A21. Precision and Bias (Mandatory).” In principle, all test methods are covered by this practice. However, the variability equations provided in this standard are applicable only to test methods that yield continuous function values.

1.2 Except as specified in 1.4, 1.5, and 1.6, this practice requires the task group proposing a new test method to carry out a collaborative study from which statements for precision (overall and single-operator standard-deviation estimates) and bias can be developed. This practice provides general guidance to task groups in planning and conducting such determinations of precision and bias.

1.3 This practice requires that a task group making a substantive revision to a test method also perform a limited-scale collaborative study (known as a ― comparability study) to evaluate the effect of the revision on the precision and bias statement. This practice provides guidance to task groups for conducting such limited-scale collaborative studies. Examples of substantive modifications may include, but are not limited to, changes in mandatory or allowable instrumentation, reagents, reaction times, etc.

1.4 If a full-scale collaborative study is not technically feasible, because of the nature of the test method or instability of samples, the most complete collaborative study that is technically feasible shall be conducted to provide the best possible limited basis for estimating the overall and single-operator standard deviations. In some situations, an intermediate collaborative study as described in Guide D7847 may provide an appropriate approach. It is recognized that there may be circumstances when even a limited collaborative study is not feasible. Any collaborative study plan that does not meet all the requirements spelled out in this practice will require a review and recommendation by the Results Advisor and an approval by the D19 Technical Operations Section of the Executive Subcommittee.

1.5 A collaborative study that satisfied the requirements of the version of this practice in force when the study was conducted will continue to be considered an adequate basis for the precision-and-bias statement required in each test method. If the study does not satisfy the current minimum requirements for a collaborative study, a statement listing the study's deficiencies and a reference to this paragraph shall be included in the precision-and-bias statement as the basis for an exemption from the current requirements.

1.6 Committee D19, through a Main Committee ballot, may approve publication of a “Preliminary” Standard Method for a period not to exceed 5 years. Preliminary Standards must contain a minimum of a single-operator precision-and-bias statement and a Quality Control section based on the single operator data. Publication of a Preliminary Standard is conditional on the approval of a full D2777 collaborative study design for the standard. Precision-and-bias statements authorized by this paragraph shall include the date of approval by Committee D19.

1.7 Per Section A21.2.3 of the ASTM Form and Style Manual the committee may delay an interlaboratory study for a new method and include a temporary statement in the Precision and Bias Section that addresses only single operator precision (“repeatability”). This statement is valid for five years from the initial publication date. In this case, a single laboratory study shall be conducted in accordance with 7.6.

1.8 In Section 12, this practice shows exemplary precision-and-bias-statement formats for: (1) test methods yielding a numerical measure, (2) test methods yielding a non-numerical report of success or failure based on criteria specified in the procedure, and (3) test methods specifying that procedures in another ASTM test method are to be used with only insignificant modifications.

1.9 All studies, even those exempt from some requirements under previous sections, shall receive approval from the Results Advisor before being conducted (see Section 8) and after completion (see Section 13).

1.10 This practice satisfies the QC requirements of Practice D5847.

1.11 It is the intent of this practice that task groups make every effort to retain all the data from their collaborative studies. Values should not be eliminated unless solid evidence exists for their exclusion. The Results Advisor should work closely with the task groups to effect this goal.

1.12 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.