NIR spectroscopy and legal aspects

Abstract

Manufacturers, suppliers and consumers of chemical and pharmaceutical raw materials, intermediate and end products are put under pressure to control the quality of the products. This is for ensuring the quality of products and documenting the results on the one hand, and to take account of legal aspects like product liability on the other. That means increased control activities in warehouses (checking incoming goods) and production plants (monitoring chemical reactions and end control of the products). Without doubt near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has proved to be a viable, mature and non-destructive quality control (QC) method both in laboratories and for online process control in the production plant. The basic principles of NIR technology are presented and the possibilities of NIR spectroscopy are described in connection with production safety, product liability, claims of recourse and handling of complaints, together with examples.