Nordic proficiency testing

Proficiency testing

A proficiency test (PT) can also be referred to as a ringtest, an interlaboratory comparison or, in Norwegian, en sammenlignende laboratorieprøving (SLP).

A reference institute (PT provider) sends identical samples to participating laboratories to be analyzed for a predefined set of parameters with a deadline to report the results. The statistical evaluation and interpretation of the results enable assessment of the quality of the analysis in the participating laboratories.

The PT providers should be accredited, e.g. according to ISO/IEC 17043, for achieving the most trusted results.

Reference materials (RM’s/CRM’s) are used in all stages of the measurement process, including method validation and quality control. The reference material producers should be accredited, e.g. according to ISO 17034.

For accredited laboratories (e.g. according to ISO 17025), participation in proficiency tests is obligatory. Laboratories not accredited may also participate.

For NRL’s, the EURL’s provide PT’s – information can be found in our page about Nordic Reference Laboratories.

Examples of how to find PT providers for feed, food and environmental samples, available to the Nordic countries, are provided below.

Providers of proficiency tests

Many PT providers, e.g. listed by EPTIS, offer PT’s for feed, food and environmental samples to Nordic countries. Few of the providers, however, are located in Nordic countries and known examples are listed below.

The European PT Information System (EPTIS)

EPTIS is a worldwide consortium of organizations that assists in finding a suitable proficiency testing scheme or rounds by providing a searchable database of PT’s. The database can sort according to accredited PT’s (reviewed by 3rd party). EPTIS is coordinated by the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM), Germany, and Nordic countries are members.