Contents

This document represents the current state-of-the-art with respect to the selection and use of proficiency testing schemes, and the interpretation of results and evaluations given in proficiency testing schemes. Although this is aimed primarily at staff in analytical laboratories, it is also useful for customers of laboratories, assessors working for accreditation bodies and other external users of PT scheme results.

The main topics covered by the Guide are:

a) the aims and benefits of participation in PT schemes;
b) selecting the most appropriate PT scheme;
c) understanding the basic statistics and performance scoring used by the PT providers;
d) using and interpreting the PT results in order to improve the overall performance of the laboratory.

This second edition, approved in 2011, has been prepared by the EEE-PT Working Group (EA-Eurolab-Eurachem). EQALM (European Organisation for External Quality Assurance Programmes in Laboratory Medicine) as an affiliate member was also involved in this revision.

Availability

You may download the document from this website (pdf, 350 kB).

Translations

Translation into other languages is permitted for members of Eurachem.