Party Settlement and Umpire Assays

SGS’s global network of analytical laboratories have specialized capabilities for independent party analyses and umpire assays of commercial settlement samples. Commercial transactions are settled on our analytical determinations, so we know that they must be timely as well as accurate.  Our experts are committed to providing the rapid turnaround necessary to facilitate international trade in a variety of materials.

Party analyses (also known as commercial settlement assays) determine the quality of a commodity or cargo and thus its value and the payment due. The major or payable elements and all minor or impurity parameters are measured. Party assays use commodity specific methodology and require rigorous quality control steps.

Umpire assays are used to resolve a dispute between a buyer and seller. Samples of the parcel or cargo are analyzed in triplicate using established methods and quality control protocols to provide the highest level of accuracy and precision.

SGS has highly trained and professional staff with many years of experience handling complex samples. We employ uniform analytical and operational methodologies, follow industry-leading quality assurance and quality control practices, and use standardized documents for presentation of results.  Our professional experts from our global network collaborate closely to share best practices and expertise, ensuring we remain at the leading edge of technical developments. Partner with SGS for transparent, third-party party settlement and umpire assay services.

Party settlement and umpire assays in the USA

The service in which you are interested is not currently available in the USA. However, SGS has an extensive network of laboratories in Canada, ranging from our Centers of Excellence in Toronto and Lakefield, to our regional service labs in Vancouver, Red Lake and Cochrane and our sample preparation and on-site mine labs in Sudbury and the Yukon.  We bring you over 50 years of experience in: 

• Fire assay by lead and nickel preconcentration
• MMI^TM (Mobile Metal Ion) analysis (Toronto only)
• Multi-element ICP-AES and ICP-MS analysis preceded by various digestion techniques
• X-ray fluorescence
• Environmental analysis
• Ore and commercial assays

Contact us to find out more.