2. These proposed ECCLS standards are based firmly on the re–
action conditions of the corresponding IFCC Reference Me–
thods. The main difference is the acceptance of use of the
o
o
widely used reaction temperatures of 37 C and of 30
c.
In 1978 the Council of the' IFCC approved by mail ballot the
recommendation that, with as few exceptions as possible, the
IFFC methods should be carried out at a uniform reaction tern-
o
perature of 30 C (l).
o
A reaction temperature of 30 C has been officially recommen-
ded in France (2) and in The Netherlands (3).
In 1981 the Expert Panel on Instrumentation recommended to
o
the Scientific Committee of the IFCC that 37 C should be en-
dorsed as the preferred incubation temperature. In 1982, an
international survey of opinion of preferred reaction tempe–
rature for measurement of enzymes was carried out by the IFCC
Expert Panels on Instrumentation and on Enzymes. This
o
indicated a preference of 30 C for reference, and 37
routine methods (4).
o
survey
o
C for
At present (1987) a reaction temperature of 37
C has been
officially endorsed in the following countries: Belgium, Den–
mark, Sweden, Norway, Finland (Sa-c), Italy (6), Spain (7),
Switzerland (8), and in Eastern Europe from 1988 (9). The rna-
o
jority of laboratories in the UK measure at 37 C (lO a,b).
o
The Federal Republic of Germany intends to recommend 37 C
( ll).
The list above is incomplete. Furthermore, even within the
countries mentioned, not all laboratories comply with the
National recommendations for reas o ns. related to their avai-
lable resources, e.g. instrumentation.
Consequently, it appears doubtf ul that European unification
in the matter of reaction temperat u re can be obtained at pre–
sent.
14
Klinisk kem i i Norden 2: suppl, 1990
