AMC Expert Working Groups

Essential Oils Expert Working Group

Aims and Intentions

The aims of the Expert Working Group are the elaboration and validation of analytical methods to determine the quality and authenticity of traded essential oils.  This is mainly by the use of gas chromatography and has included the publication of fingerprint chromatograms, obtained under standard conditions, and the quantitative determination of individual components of interest.

The Expert Working Group responds to requests from the essential oils trade and demands arising from new legislation.

Individual members participate in committee meetings and working groups of the main trade associations of the flavour and fragrance industry and represent the UK at meetings of international and European standards and regulatory bodies.  These include the ISO, CEN, BSI, IFEAT, IFRA, EFFA, EFEO, IOFI, RIFM and BEOA.

The Expert Working Group is, therefore, in a strong position to influence decisions made by these bodies, exchange information and avoid duplication of effort.  Members comment on draft standards and monographs making recommendations on the UK vote as appropriate.

Membership

Membership of the Essential Oils Expert Working Group, as of as of 12 February 2025:

• Neil Owen - Consultant (Ex-Givaudan Ltd) (Chair) 
• Hannah Canning - R.C. Treatt & Co. Ltd
• Neil DaCosta - International Flavors & Fragrances Inc
• John Forbes - Retired
• Stephen Kennedy - J.C. Buck Ltd
• Philippe Merle - DSM-Firmenich, Geneva
• Michael Milchard* - Retired
• Glenn Moran - CPL Aromas Ltd
• Nick Moss - Tilley Distribution UK Ltd
• Nick Roach - Fragrance Oils (Int.) Ltd
• Alan Sherlock - Consultant (Ex-R C Treatt & Co. Ltd)
• Tracey Smith - Ex-R.C. Treatt & Co. Ltd
• James Webb - FD Copeland & Sons Ltd
• John R. Dean - Secretary, AMC

*Corresponding member

Nitrogen Factors Sub-committee

Aims and Intentions

Labelling rules require that where ingredients are highlighted in the name of the food, the amount of that ingredient must be declared as a percentage of the final product (QUID- quantitative ingredient declaration). Although the amount of an ingredient is calculated on a recipe basis, enforcement authorities usually check the declaration by analysis of the finished product.

The analysis determines the nitrogen (mainly on a fat free basis) of meat or fish ingredient, and converts this to a meat or fish content using a previously determined nitrogen factor. The Sub-committee oversees the determination of nitrogen factors for meat, poultry and seafood for use by both enforcement laboratories to check labelling and by industry to check their meat and seafood raw materials.

The Subcommittee has already produced reports on nitrogen factors for pork (1991), beef (1993), mutton and lamb (1995, 1996), chicken (2000), scampi (2000), turkey (2002) and cod fillet and mince blocks for coated fish products (2007). 

Its continuing programme of work is to determine meat and seafood ingredients, which are important to the UK market for meat and seafood products.

Membership

• Mark Woolfe - Chairman
• Andrew Caines - Cranswick
• Bhavna Parmar - Food Standards Agency
• Charles Boardman - Seachill
• David Keeble - Faccenda
• Duncan Campbell - West Yorkshire Analytical Services
• Elizabeth Moran - Public Analyst Analytical Services
• Jeremy Hall - Bernard Matthews
• Mike Thompson - Birkbeck College
• Pendi Najran - Defra
• Robbie Beattie - Edinburgh Scientific Services
• Selvarani Elahi - LGC
• Steve Lamming - Consultant, ex-Youngs Seafood
• Steve Moore - Faccenda
• Roger Wood OBE - Secretary

Aims and Intentions

The aim of the Heritage Science Expert Working Group (EWG) is to promote the role and importance of analytical science in the cultural heritage sector. This involves improving the understanding of what each analysis method can deliver, explaining the best approaches to data collection and encouraging events that highlight appropriate analytical techniques within the conservation community. These aims are achieved through:

• the production of Technical Briefs that discuss specific analytical techniques needed to analyse heritage materials and
• the participation in and organisation of events that promote awareness of analytical science 

The EWG consists of representatives from the fields of conservation and heritage science to determine the analytical needs of the community. Technical Briefs are written in response to specific needs identified by the Group.

Membership

The EWG is made up of representatives from industry and academia. Membership of the Heritage Science Expert Working Group, as of 5 December 2024:

• Dr Lucia Burgio - Victoria and Albert Museum (Chair)
• Ms Abigail Bainbridge - Bainbridge Conservation
• Dr Katherine Curran - University College London
• Dr Callum Graham - Historic Environment Scotland
• Dr Joshua Hill - National Gallery
• Dr Barry Knight - Retired, The British Library
• Peter Martindale - Peter Martindale Conservation
• Dr David Mills - Queen Mary University of London
• Dr Rebecca Stacey - The British Museum
• Dr Siobhan Watts - National Museums Liverpool
• Prof John Dean - Secretary, AMC

Sampling Uncertainty/Sampling Quality Expert Working Group

Aims and Intentions

Primary sampling can useful be considered to be the first step in analytical measurement and can often contribute the largest component to the overall uncertainty of measurement. The quality and appropriateness of the sampling procedure is however, often not considered by analytical scientists. The aims of the Sampling and Uncertainty Expert Working Group are therefore to:

• encourage analysts to include primary sampling in uncertainty budgets for the whole measurement process 
• provide information on methods for the evaluation of the uncertainty associated with sampling protocols 
• assess existing procedures of evaluating methods of sampling and sample preparation, and encourage the development of improved procedures 
• encourage best-practise in ensuring sampling quality that is fit-for-purpose 
• ensure international applicability of guidance from the Expert Working Group by collaboration with appropriate organisations 
• clarify who needs to be responsible for the quality of sampling and enable their effective communication with the analysts.

Membership

Membership of the Sampling Uncertainty Expert Working Group as of 12 February 2025:

• Mike Ramsey, University of Sussex (Chair)
• Bob Barnes - Environment Agency
• Mike Thompson* - Ex-Birkbeck College
• Nabanita Basu - Northumbria University
• Peter Rostron - Consultant (Ex-University of Sussex)
• Roger Wood OBE - Ex-Food Standards Agency
• Steve Ellison - LGC
• John R. Dean - Secretary

*Corresponding members

Usually meets and works jointly with the Eurachem Working Group on Uncertainty from Sampling.