PROFICIENCY TESTING AND

INTERLABORATORY COMPARISONS
Proficiency Testing Standards ILAC P9:06/2014 Requirements Create A Proficiency Testing Program
Current and Active Standards The International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) policy To setup a program, you need to do five things;
on proficiency testing;
• ISO/IEC 17043:2010 – Conformity Assessment – General 1. Find a Proficiency Testing Provider,
Requirements for Proficiency Testing • ILAC P9:06/2014 – The ILAC Policy for Participating in Proficiency 2. Create a Proficiency Testing Plan,
Testing Activities 3. Participate in Proficiency Testing Schemes,
• ISO 13528:2015 – Statistical Methods For Use In Proficiency 4. Review and Evaluate Your Results, and
Testing By Interlaboratory Comparisons. 5. Submit Your Results to Your Accreditation Body.
Accreditation Body Requirements
A list of links to quickly access your accreditation body’s policy.
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Requirements Evaluate Proficiency Testing Results
• A2LA R103 – General Requirements: Proficiency Testing For
3 Terms and definitions ISO/IEC 17025 Laboratories Normalized Error
Equation
3.5 proficiency testing
To calculate normalized error, use the equation provided below;
• ANAB GD 2001: Guidance On Proficiency Testing/Inter-Laboratory
evaluation of participant performance against pre-established criteria 𝑥𝐿𝑎𝑏 − 𝑥𝑅𝑒𝑓
Comparisons
by means of interlaboratory comparisons (3.3) 𝐸𝑛 =
2 2
[SOURCE: ISO/IEC 17043:2010, 3.7, modified — Notes to entry have • NVLAP Handbooks and Lab Bulletins √𝑈𝐿𝑎𝑏 + 𝑈𝑅𝑒𝑓
been deleted.]
Where,
• PJLA- Perry Johnson Laboratory Accreditation, Inc PL-1: Proficiency xLab = measurement result of participating lab
xRef = measurement result of reference lab
6.6 Externally provided products and services Testing Requirements ULab = Expanded Uncertainty (i.e. 95%) of participating lab
URef = Expanded Uncertainty (i.e. 95%) of reference lab
6.6.1 The laboratory shall ensure that only suitable externally • IAS/TL/031 IAS Policy On Proficiency Testing For Laboratories Step-by-Step Instructions
provided products and services that affect laboratory activities are
1. Subtract the result from the participating laboratory by the result
used, when such products and services: • L-A-B Policy 002 – Assuring Quality and Proficiency Testing of the reference laboratory (i.e. laboratory bias).
a) are intended for incorporation into the laboratory’s own activities; 2. Calculate the root sum of squares for both laboratories’ reported
b) are provided, in part or in full, directly to the customer by the estimates of measurement uncertainty.
laboratory, as received from the external provider; Proficiency Testing Service Providers 3. Divide the value calculated in step 1 and by the value calculated in
c) are used to support the operation of the laboratory. Accreditation Body Recommended Proficiency Testing Providers step 2.
NOTE Products can include, for example, measurement standards and equipment, A list of helpful links from each accreditation body.
Decision Rules
auxiliary equipment, consumable materials and reference materials. Services can • A2LA: Accredited Proficiency Testing Providers
include, for example, calibration services, sampling services, testing services, • When the value of En is between -1 and +1, the results are
facility and equipment maintenance services, proficiency testing services and considered satisfactory.
assessment and auditing services. • NVLAP: Requirements Documents
• When the value of En <-1 and En>+1, the results are considered
unsatisfactory.
7.7 Ensuring the validity of results • ANAB: Proficiency Testing Provider Resources

7.7.2 The laboratory shall monitor its performance by comparison • PJLA: Proficiency Testing Z-Score
with results of other laboratories, where available and appropriate. Equation
This monitoring shall be planned and reviewed and shall include, but • IAS: Information on Proficiency Testing Providers for IAS Clients To calculate z-score, use the equation provided below;
not be limited to, either or both of the following:
(𝑦𝑖 − 𝑦̅)
a) participation in proficiency testing; • LAB: Proficiency Testing Providers 𝑧𝑖 =
𝜎
NOTE ISO/IEC 17043 contains additional information on proficiency tests and Where,
proficiency testing providers. Proficiency testing providers that meet the yi = measurement result of participating lab
Search Accreditation Body Databases for PT Providers ybar = the population mean (i.e. average)
requirements of ISO/IEC 17043 are considered to be competent.
Search accreditation body’s database to find a PT provider. σ = the standard deviation of the population

b) participation in interlaboratory comparisons other than Step-by-Step Instructions

• A2LA Directory of Accredited Organizations
proficiency testing. 1. Subtract the participant laboratory’s result by the population
• NVLAP Directory Search mean (i.e. average).
8.6 Improvement (Option A) 2. Calculate the standard deviation of all participant results.
• ANAB Directory of Accredited Organizations 3. Divide the result of step 1 by the result of step 2.
8.6.1 The laboratory shall identify and select opportunities for
improvement and implement any necessary actions. Decision Rules
• PJLA Listing of Accredited Labs
NOTE Opportunities for improvement can be identified through the review of the • When the value of Z <=2, the results are considered satisfactory.
operational procedures, the use of the policies, overall objectives, audit results, • When the value of Z >=3, the results are considered
• L-A-B Directory of Accredited Organizations
corrective actions, management review, suggestions from personnel, risk unsatisfactory.
assessment, analysis of data, and proficiency testing results.
• When the value of Z >=2 and Z <=3, the results are considered
• IAS Search for Accreditations
questionable.