Proficiency Testing is important for several reasons. Primarily, it enables your laboratory to demonstrate competency for a particular measurement discipline which can be used to validate:
- A measurement method;
- Technical training of personnel;
- Traceability of standards, and
- Estimates of measurement uncertainty.
Imagine that your laboratory is adding a new measurement or testing capability to your scope of accreditation. You have purchased equipment, had it calibrated, written methods, trained personnel, estimated uncertainty, and performed numerous internal verification studies.
Even with all of that hard work, time, and money invested into your new process, are you confident that your results are adequate and comparable to other laboratories?
By participating in proficiency testing, your laboratory can externally validate your new measurement or testing process.
Hence, the reason your accreditation body requires you to successfully complete a proficiency test before they will add it to your scope of accreditation.
- According to ISO 17043, Proficiency Testing is a formal exercise managed by a coordinating body which includes a standard or reference laboratory. The results are issued in a formal report that clearly provides the En and Z score or zeta score.