Product + laboratory parameter
The commodity expert documents the condition and the available paperwork, while a specialist laboratory determines the required specialist parameter.
Subject of examination
What a commodity expert establishes and what requires a laboratory
Professional examination starts with separating the questions correctly. A commodity expert examines goods in terms of consumer properties and commercial condition; specialist laboratory parameters are established using methods specific to the relevant field.
Commodity examination component
What a commodity expert can examine
- the products' actual commercial condition;
- observable defects, damage and loss of marketable appearance;
- packaging, labelling and identifying information;
- delivery, acceptance, storage and transport documents;
- consistency between actual signs and the submitted information within the scope of the commodity examination task;
- handling conditions for the goods based on documents and factual data;
- the value of goods or a batch where that task has been assigned.
Specialist testing
What cannot be reliably established by inspection alone
- microbiological parameters and the presence of specific microorganisms;
- precise chemical composition and the quantities of substances present;
- toxicological parameters;
- veterinary and sanitary-hygienic parameters;
- pesticides, antibiotics, contaminants and other substances requiring instrumental determination;
- other parameters that require specialist laboratory methods and equipment.
Important: external signs of spoilage do not amount to laboratory confirmation of a specific microbiological or chemical cause. If a question includes both components, they are separated within a multidisciplinary examination.
Tasks spanning fields
When a multidisciplinary format is needed
Cause of a change in condition
A conclusion is reached only on those aspects for which sufficient objects and data are available. Results from relevant specialist tests are used where necessary.
A question for court proceedings
Before appointment, it is useful to check whether a single question combines commodity examination, sanitary, chemical or legal components.
Preliminary assessment
Send materials for a preliminary assessment
Describe the situation and attach the available documents and photographs. After reviewing them, the work format, required materials, cost and time frame can be determined.
- we will check whether the task falls within commodity examination competence;
- we will determine whether documents and an inspection are sufficient;
- if specialist tests are needed, we will identify the laboratory component;
- we will indicate a possible format for the result.