(A joint EA – Eurolab – Eurachem Working Group)

Terms of Reference

1. The working group EEE-PT has been established as a joint activity by EA, Eurolab and Eurachem (EEE) to provide support on the use of proficiency testing (PT) to laboratory personnel and accreditation assessors
2. EA/Eurolab/Eurachem (EEE) may approve other appropriate organisations to become affiliated members to the EEE-PT. EQALM (European Committee for External Quality Assurance Programmes in Laboratory Medicine) is an affiliated member of EEE-PT
3. The aim is to develop common policy and technical advice covering proficiency testing in all areas of testing, measurement and analysis in order to improve the reliability of testing, measurement and analytical results to meet the European needs
4. The EEE-PT will follow the general objective and rules of procedure of common working groups set up by EA, Eurolab and Eurachem
5. The EEE-PT will provide a discussion forum in order to develop support in the form of guidelines and policy papers to:
   • Identify, review and promote the use of cost-effective proficiency testing in laboratory operations and accreditation procedures
   • Help provide information on the availability of PTs
   • Understand and address differences between specific sectors
   • Contribute to the development and revision of International Standards and Guides relating to PTs and other ILCs
   • Develop principles and conditions for using interlaboratory comparisons to support the work of the two permanent ILC working groups of the EA Laboratory Committee in underpinning the mutual recognition arrangements both within EA and between EA and other Recognised Regions such as APLAC and IAAC under the roof of ILAC.
6. To support ABs in the development of suitable programs to assess and accredit PT providers
7. To provide a link with other international working groups and bodies in this field, e.g. ILAC PTCG, to promote greater international harmonisation and reduce duplication of effort

Membership

Open to representatives from the three parent organisations: EA, Eurolab and Eurachem who are each entitled to nominate five representatives. Affiliated organisations are entitled to nominate three representatives. Additional representatives from the parent or affiliated organisations, along with other international guests, may be associated with the EEE-PT WG at the discretion of the Chair. The Chair of the EEE-PT WG is elected by the EA-Eurolab-Eurachem Permanent Liaison Group (PLG) for a period of four years.

Meetings

The EEE-PT WG will meet when considered necessary by the Chair. Normally the EEE-PT WG will meet twice every year. A draft agenda will be distributed at least 4 weeks before each meeting. Draft minutes will be distributed within two months after the meeting.

Work Programme

The EEE-PT WG shall submit on an annual basis its proposed Work Programme for approval to the EA-Eurolab-Eurachem Permanent Liaison Group (PLG).

Members

Representatives

International guests

Linda Crawford, ILAC PTCG / QMP-LS(Canada)
Alan Squirrell, ILAC / NATA (Australia)
Dan Tholen, APLAC PTC/ A2LA (USA)

Work Programme 2008-2009

1. To update any appropriate policy or guidance documents on the cost-effective use of proficiency testing in co-operation with ILAC and other interested organisations, and to contribute to the discussions within ILAC or any other appropriate international forum on PT activities
   (a) Complete a revision of the Eurachem Guide to the Selection, Use and Interpretation of PT schemes
2. To contribute to the revision of international standards and guides which underpin the quality of PTs and to discuss the recognition mechanisms for PT providers, contributing to the harmonisation of accreditation requirements
   (a) Contribute to the work of ISO/CASCO WG 28 in the production of ISO/IEC 17043
3. To support and promote harmonisation of accreditation bodies’ evaluation of laboratories’ participation and performance in PT
   (a) Develop a policy document, for EA, with respect to the frequency of participation of laboratories in PT
4. To provide a forum for the discussion between the accreditation bodies and the PT stakeholders with regards to the accreditation of PT providers
   (a) Give guidance for the harmonisation during the implementation of ISO/IEC 17043
5. To view the relation between PT performance and accreditation surveillance mechanisms
6. To identify mechanisms to promote new PT in all technical areas, including inspection, and to develop a mechanism for the implementation of PTs in areas where they do not currently exist
   (a) Develop or contribute to guidance on PT for sampling
   (b) Develop or contribute to guidance on PT for inspection
   (c) Develop or contribute to guidance on requirements for bilateral PTs or PTs organised by a group of laboratories
7. To provide an overview of the “learning effect” of PT
8. To co-operate with, and give input, to the EPTIS Project

Previous outputs

Technical Papers:

• How to interpret information from proficiency test exercises concerning the relative performance of accredited laboratories (2001)

Surveys:

• Use in Practice of Proficiency Testing by Accreditation Bodies and Laboratories (2003)
• Accreditation, Recognition or Approval of Proficiency Testing Schemes (2003)

Position Papers:

• Use of Proficiency Testing as a Tool for Accreditation in Testing (2002) – formed the basis of ILAC22:2004
• “Trade-Off” issue between Participation in Proficiency Testing and the Level and Frequency of Surveillance Activities (2004)
• Organisation of Proficiency Tests and Interlaboratory Comparisons for EA Laboratory Committee (2003)
• Establishment of a Multi Lateral Agreement (MLA) for the Accreditation of Proficiency Testing Providers (2004)
• Educational Aspects of Proficiency Testing Programs (2005)
• Use of Measurement Uncertainty in Proficiency Testing (2006)

Standards/Guides:

• Contributed to the revision of ILAC G13 (2007)

Contact

You can contact the EEE-PT Secretary here