Proficiency Testing as a Tool for Accreditation Bodies and Customers of Laboratories: A report on the feasibility of using PT as a tool to provide third parties with information on laboratory competence

Date: 30/09/1999	Ref No: LGC/VAM/1999/082	Type: Report
Author(s): Boley N
Organisation/Publisher: LGC

Laboratories are using proficiency testing (PT) schemes increasingly as a quality tool. The performance of many of these laboratories on PT schemes is being monitored by third parties (accreditation bodies, customers) as a means of evaluating the competence of laboratories. This report explains how third party organisations use PT scheme results. It also covers the benefits and problems of the use of PT scheme results, in the context of proficiency testing as a quality tool for laboratories. Comprehensive guidelines for the appropriate use of PT scheme results are given. These guidelines have been developed with extensive consultation with accreditation and certification bodies, customers of laboratories, and PT scheme participants, and are therefore designed to be acceptable and practicable for all these parties.