Sampling Systems Handbook and Approval Guide

3. Conditionally approved automatic sampling systems for specific Canadian Grain Commission programs

3.1 Overview

Strip auger sampler or point type samplers are considered by the Canadian Grain Commission to be non-conforming as they do not extract a complete and proportional cross-section (both height and width) of the grain stream.

However; these types of samplers may be considered if they are being used by licensed grain handling facilities operating under specific Canadian Grain Commission programs.

Accredited Container Sampler program (ACSP)

The Accredited Container Sampler program allows grain companies to obtain official Canadian Grain Commission inspection and certification for their container shipments based on a sample taken by a Canadian Grain Commission accredited third party. Any automatic sampling system used by these third parties to acquire samples must conform to the requirements of a “conditional approved automatic sampler”, and be approved by the Canadian Grain Commission.

Certified Container Sampling program (CCSP)

The Certified Container Sampling program allows grain and transloading companies to take samples at their facilities and submit them to the Canadian Grain Commission for inspection and certification. The certificate issued under this program is the “Certified Submitted Sample Certificate” which states that “The lot or consignment identified above has been sampled by a shipper or loading facility officially recognized as operating under a Canadian Grain Commission certified sampling program.”

3.2 Equipment

At the discretion of the Canadian Grain Commission, a “Conditionally Approved” sampling system may be used to sample grain for either the Accredited Container Sampler program or the Certified Container Sampling program provided that:

The sampled grain, either bulk or bagged is destined for shipment in a container.
The grain being sampled has been cleaned and does not contain dockage material.
The sampling system has been reviewed and authorized by the Canadian Grain Commission.
The sampling system is used and maintained in the manner deemed suitable by the Canadian Grain Commission.

The following criteria will be used by the Canadian Grain Commission in reviewing and authorizing sampling systems for these programs:

The sampling tube may be either installed permanently in the grain stream or the tube may extend into the grain stream intermittently.
Where the sampling tube extends into the grain, the tube must extend to at least 75% of diameter of the grain stream.
The combined length of the sampler tube opening on the sampling tube must be at least 55% of the probe length.
One sampling tube opening must be within 0.75 inches of the spout wall where the product is flowing.
The dimensions of the sampling tube openings must be at least 19 mm (0.75 inches) wide and 88.9 mm (3.5 inches) long and be in a uniform pattern along the entire length of the tube.
Automatic samplers must have an adjustable timer. Sampler timers may be either analog or digital, and must have a maximum 1-second dial or timer interval setting.
Sampling intervals will be determined on a case by case basis, to ensure adequate sampling intensities and frequencies are being achieved.

Note: any deviations from these criteria will be considered on a case by case basis.

Some examples of automatic samplers that may be considered for use under this program are: