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What are Australian Standards Requirements 'REALLY'

Australian Standards for Urine and Saliva Drug Tests


I thought it was about time to clear this one up, as there is just so much misinformation around the internet about Australian Standards compliance and those organisations that try to create the idea that they are the only company that create an Australian Standards drug test and all others are all making false claims and are somehow in breach of the ACCC Fair Trading Act.

Lets get the facts!

Australian Standards cut-off levels for Urine tests (copied straight from the Australian Standards):



ASNZS 4308-2008
TABLE 1
IMMUNOASSAY SCREENING TEST CUT-OFF LEVELS
Class of drug* Cut-off level, μg/L

Amphetamine type substances                                 300
Benzodiazepines                                                      200
Cannabis metabolites                                                 50
Cocaine metabolites                                                 300
Opiates                                                                     300

* For drugs that may be optionally tested within each class, the specified cut-off levels may not apply and other methodologies may be more appropriate.


This is very clear and defines 'exact cut-off levels' that testing units need to comply with!
Don't be fooled when someone says they are compliant but they have cut-off levels of 1000μg/L - 3000μg/L, you could be work tested or incident tested with an Australian Standards test many hours later and be positive!

Australian Standards cut-off levels for Saliva tests (copied straight from the Australian Standards):


AS4760 - 2006

TABLE 3.1
ON-SITE INITIAL TEST TARGET CONCENTRATIONS
Class of drug Target concentration ng/mL

Opiates                                                                        50
Amphetamine-type stimulants                                    50
Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)                                 25
Cocaine and metabolites                                             50
NOTE: These targets represent the undiluted oral fluid concentration.


As you can see above this standard suggests 'TARGET' concentrations!! not exact cut-offs as does the urine standard.
It is important that units meet or are as close as possible to the target concentration.
Last I saw the Victorian Police drug testing unit did not test THC (marijuana) at the standard level, however it is clear that the standard requires the unit to be targeted to the 25ng cut-off

Some organisations state that you should see the NATA certificate of compliance!
However the Australian Standards state that:

"NOTE: Collecting agencies making a statement of compliance with this Australian Standard,
are advised to ensure that such compliance is capable of being verified" 

Don't be fooled by bold statements of compliance with products that clearly do not meet the standards or the standards targets in the case of saliva tests.
Also do not be persuaded by seemingly qualified and convincing statements about breach of ACCC regulations where the facts are somewhat distorted!

My advice! make sure drug test kits clearly meet the required cut-offs in the case of Urine Tests and are targeted to the required concentrations in the case of saliva tests.

see our range at medinat.com.au and be confident that we are compliant with the requirements of the standards.
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