The Eurachem reading list
9. Proficiency testing
Websites and web resources
- Eptis Proficiency Scheme database (www.eptis.org)
Standards
- ISO 13528:2022. Statistical methods for use in proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparisons (iso.org)
- ISO 16140-7:2024. Microbiology of the food chain – Method validation Part 7: Protocol for the validation of identification methods of microorganisms (iso.org)
- ISO/IEC 17043:2023. Conformity assessment – General requirements for the competence of proficiency testing providers (iso.org)
- ISO 22117:2019. Microbiology of the food chain – Specific requirements and guidance for proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparison (iso.org)
Guides
- ILAC P9:01/2024, ILAC Policy for proficiency testing and/or interlaboratory comparisons other than proficiency testing (www.ilac.org)
- Brookman and I. Mann (Eds) Eurachem Guide: Selection, use and interpretation of proficiency testing (PT) schemes by laboratories (3rd ed. 2021) (www.eurachem.org)
- EA-4/18 G: 2021, Guidance on the level and frequency of proficiency testing participation, (european-accreditation.org)
- EA-4/21 INF: 2018, Guidelines for the assessment of the appropriateness of small interlaboratory comparisons within the process of laboratory accreditation (european-accreditation.org)
Leaflets
- Eurachem information leaflets (www.eurachem.org)
- Understanding PT statistics (2024)
- Understanding PT performance assessment (2024)
- Interlaboratory comparisons other than proficiency testing (2024)
- Let’s call a PT scheme a PT scheme! (2022)
- How to investigate poor performance in proficiency testing (2nd edition, 2022)
- Use of surplus proficiency test items (2nd edition, 2022)
- Proficiency testing – How much and how often? (2nd edition, 2022)
- Selecting the right proficiency testing scheme for my laboratory (2nd edition, 2022)
- How can proficiency testing help my laboratory? (2nd edition, 2022)
- Pre- and post-analytical proficiency testing (2nd edition, 2022)
- Proficiency testing schemes and other interlaboratory comparisons (2nd edition, 2022)
- Proficiency testing schemes for sampling (2020)
- Eurolab cookbooks (https://www.eurolab.org/pubs-cookbooks)
- Doc No. 2, Criteria for the selection of a proficiency testing scheme, revision no. 4, 07/2020
- Doc No. 4, Use of interlaboratory comparison data by laboratories, revision no. 5, 02/2021
- Doc No. 17, Interlaboratory comparison: The views of laboratories, revision no. 3, 10/2018
- AMC Technical Briefs, RSC, (https://www.rsc.org/membership-and-community/connect-with-others/join-scientific-networks/subject-communities/analytical-science-community/amc/technical-briefs/):
- AMC TB 78-2017 Proficiency testing of sampling, https://doi.org/10.1039/C7AY90092A
- AMC TB 74-2016, z-Scores and other scores in chemical proficiency testing – their meanings, and some common misconceptions, https://doi.org/10.1039/C6AY90078J
- AMC TB 68-2015, Fitness for purpose: the key feature in analytical proficiency testing, https://doi.org/10.1039/C5AY90052B
- AMC TB 56-2013, What causes most errors in chemical analysis?, https://doi.org/10.1039/C3AY90035E
- Under Statistical Analysis tab:
- AMC TB 19A-2008, General and specific fitness functions for proficiency tests and other purposes – clarifying an old idea
- AMC TB 18A-2005, What is proficiency testing? Guide for end-users of chemical data
- AMC TB 18-2004, GMO Proficiency testing: Interpreting z-scores derived from log-transformed data
- AMC TB 16-2004 (revised April 2007), Proficiency testing: assessing z-scores in the longer term
- AMC TB 11-2002, Understanding and acting on scores obtained in proficiency testing schemes
- AMC TB 02-2000 (revised December 2005), How to combine proficiency test results with your own uncertainty estimate – the zeta score
Articles and reports
- M. Mancin, U. Tiikkainen, and K. van Putten (Eds.) Eurachem Report: Survey on performance evaluation in non-quantitative Proficiency Testing, 2024, www.eurachem.org
- U. Tiikkainen et al. Is harmonisation of performance assessment in non-quantitative proficiency testing possible/necessary? Accred. Qual. Assur., 2022, 27, 1-8., https://doi.org/10.1007/s00769-021-01492-6
- B. Brookman (Ed.) Special Issue: Eurachem workshop 2023 – Proficiency Testing in Analytical Chemistry, Microbiology and Laboratory Medicine, Accred. Qual. Assur., 2024, 29, Issue 5-6,
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- I. Kuselman, A. Fajgelj, IUPAC/CITAC Guide: Selection and use of proficiency testing schemes for a limited number of participants – chemical analytical laboratories (IUPAC Technical Report). Pure Appl. Chem., 2010, 82(5), 1099-1135, https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REP-09-08-15
- M. Thompson, S. L. R. Ellison, R. Wood, The International Harmonized Protocol for the proficiency testing of analytical chemistry laboratories, IUPAC Technical Report, Pure Appl. Chem., 2006, 78(1), 145-196, https://doi.org/10.1351/pac200678010145
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- Last Updated: Tuesday, 27 May 2025 08:49