CCQM-GAWG — Capacity Building Survey in Gas Analysis

Introduction

The CCQM Gas Analysis Working Group (GAWG) Task Group on Capacity Building is mapping current capabilities, priorities and development needs in gas metrology across our community. Your responses will help us design targeted training, comparisons and collaboration opportunities.

The survey takes approximately 15–20 minutes and is arranged in four parts: strategic context; current capabilities; gaps and investment needs; and training and collaboration needs. Where a question does not apply to your institute, please write "not applicable". Responses will be treated in confidence and reported only in aggregated form.

Respondent and institute details

To be completed by the person submitting the survey.

Institute name:*

Country or economy:*

Which best describes your institute?*

National Metrology Institute (NMI)

Designated Institute (DI)

Accredited calibration or testing laboratory

University or research institute

Government agency or ministry

Other (please specify):

Section 1

1. Which statement best describes your institute's current situation in gas metrology?*

We currently have no gas analysis/metrology capability

We have basic analytical capability, but no established metrological capability

We have some metrological capability, but it is still under development

We have established gas metrology capabilities

We have advanced capabilities and provide national/international services

2. Does your institute have a plan or strategy for gas metrology?*

Yes

Under development

Not known

2.1 If yes or under development, please give the title, owner and a short summary.*

3. What are the main government priorities in your country related to gas metrology?3. What are the main government priorities in your country related to gas metrology?*

4. Has your institutional leadership already made commitments to the long-term development of gas analysis capabilities?*

Yes — formal, documented commitment

Yes — informal or verbal support

Under discussion

No commitment at this stage

4.1 Please describe the nature of that commitment (budget, staff posts, facilities, time horizon).*

5. Has your laboratory developed a strategic plan for gas analysis?*

Yes — approved and in force

In preparation

6. Please rate the importance of each gas application area listed below for your institute?

Greenhouse gases and climate monitoring*

High priority

Medium priority

Low priority

Not relevant

Ambient air quality*

High priority

Medium priority

Low priority

Not relevant

Hydrogen purity and the hydrogen economy*

High priority

Medium priority

Low priority

Not relevant

Natural gas, biomethane and energy gases*

High priority

Medium priority

Low priority

Not relevant

Industrial and stack emissions*

High priority

Medium priority

Low priority

Not relevant

Automotive and mobile source emissions*

High priority

Medium priority

Low priority

Not relevant

Indoor air quality and VOCs*

High priority

Medium priority

Low priority

Not relevant

Medical and breathing gases*

High priority

Medium priority

Low priority

Not relevant

Isotope ratio measurements*

High priority

Medium priority

Low priority

Not relevant

Workplace safety and occupational exposure

High priority

Medium priority

Low priority

Not relevant

6.1 Are there any other application areas of high importance to your institute?*

7. If a strategic plan exists, please describe it.

Section 2

8. What are your institute's existing capabilities in gas analysis?*

9. How many staff members are currently involved in gas analysis activities? Number of staff (FTE):*

9.1 How is that team distributed by level of experience?

Highly experienced (more than 10 years)*

None

2–3

4–5

More than 5

Experienced (3–10 years)*

None

2–3

4–5

More than 5

Early career (less than 3 years)

None

2–3

4–5

More than 5

10. What analytical and gas mixture preparation infrastructure are currently available in your laboratory?*

FTIR spectrometer

Laser spectrometer

Ozone photometer

Gravimetric balance suitable for cylinder weighing

Dynamic dilution or permeation system

Other (please specify):

10.1 Please add any relevant detail on age, model or condition of key instruments.*

11. Are your instruments operational?*

Yes — all operational, with a documented maintenance schedule

Mostly — some instruments awaiting repair or servicing

Partially — significant equipment currently out of service

No formal maintenance arrangements in place

12. How does your laboratory establish metrological traceability for its measurement results?*

Certified reference gas mixtures purchased from an NMI or DI

Certified reference gas mixtures purchased from a commercial supplier

In-house gravimetric preparation of primary standards

Dynamic methods (permeation, dilution, diffusion)

Traceability through a parent or partner institute

No formal traceability chain currently established

Other (please specify):

13. Does your institute participate in proficiency testing schemes, interlaboratory or RMO/CIPM key comparisons in gas analysis?*

Yes — regularly

Yes — occasionally

Not yet, but planned within 1–3 years

No, and no plans at present

13.1 Please list the comparisons concerned (for example CCQM key comparisons, RMO comparisons, commercial PT schemes).*

14. What services does your laboratory currently offer in gas analysis?*

Production of certified reference gas mixtures

Calibration of gas analysers

Testing and analysis services

Proficiency testing provision

Training or consultancy

None at present

Other (please specify):

15. Does your institute have a web portal or online platform for publishing and offering gas analysis services?*

Yes

Under development

15.1 If yes, please provide the URL:*

Section 3

16. What factors may be limiting the development or strengthening of your institute’s gas analysis capabilities?*

Funding

Equipment and instrumentation

Technical skills and expertise

Staffing levels or staff retention

Laboratory facilities and infrastructure

Access to interlaboratory comparisons

Access to reference materials and pure gases

Access to a stable supply of gas cylinders

Management or political support

Insufficient customer or market demand

Other (please specify):

16.1 Which single barrier is the most limiting?

17. What gas analysis equipment does your laboratory plan to acquire over the next five years?*

18. Is dedicated funding available for strengthening your gas laboratory capabilities?*

Yes — funding secured

Partially — some funding secured

Application submitted, outcome pending

No dedicated funding available

18.1 If funding is available or pending, please indicate the source, scale and period.*

Section 4

19. Does your institute currently have ongoing international collaborations in gas analysis that support capability building?

Yes

Previously, but not currently

19.1 If yes, please describe the partners and the nature of the collaboration.

20. In which specific areas of gas analysis would your institute be interested in building further expertise and receiving training?*

Gravimetric preparation of primary gas mixtures

Purity analysis of parent gases

Dynamic methods (permeation, dilution, diffusion)

Gas chromatography techniques

Optical and spectroscopic techniques

Cylinder treatment, stability and long-term storage

Sampling strategies and field measurements

Measurement uncertainty evaluation

Quality management and ISO/IEC 17025 implementation

Participation in key comparisons and writing CMCs

Data analysis and statistical treatment of results

Other (please specify):

21. Does your institute have funding available for training?*

Yes — a dedicated training budget exists

Partially — case-by-case approval

Not known

22. Would you be interested in participating in a summer school on gas analysis?*

Yes, definitely

Possibly, depending on topic and cost

22.1 If yes or possibly, how many staff would you expect to send?*

23. How interested would your institute be in the following training formats?

Online training (live sessions)*

Very interested

Interested

Possibly

Not interested

E-learning (self-paced modules)*

Very interested

Interested

Possibly

Not interested

In-person — expert visit to your institute*

Very interested

Interested

Possibly

Not interested

In-person — travelling trainee hosted by another institute*

Very interested

Interested

Possibly

Not interested

24. Please indicate any other relevant interest, needs or comments.

Would you be willing to be contacted for a short follow-up discussion?

Yes

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