ILC, PTS, PT, EQA?

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Interlaboratory comparisons  (ILC) are the "design, performance and evaluation of measurements or tests on the same or similar items by two or more laboratories in accordance with predetermined conditions" (definition from ISO 17043 standard "Conformity assessment - General requirements for the competence of proficiency testing providers").

Proficiency Testing (PT) schemes involve the use of interlaboratory comparisons for the evaluation of laboratory performance. The main purposes for proficiency testing include:

PerformancesPTS

  • evaluation of the performance of laboratories
  • identification of problems in laboratories 
  • establishment of the effectiveness of methods and the comparability of results
  • provision of additional confidence to users of results
  • identification of differences in results
  • education of participating laboratories based on the outcomes of such comparisons
  • validation of the laboratories measurement uncertainty

 

 

Other types of interlaboratory comparisons address other issues such as:

  • evaluation of the performance characteristics of a method - often described as collaborative trials;
  • assignment of values to reference materials
  • support for statements of the equivalence of measurements of National Metrology Institutes through "key and supplementary comparisons" conducted on behalf of the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) and associated regional metrology organisations

 

In the medical area, the term “External Quality Assessment ” (EQA) is often used to refer to the proficiency testing schemes.

Some EQA programmes assess performance of pre-analytical and post-analytical phases of testing as well as the analytical phase. Check Eurachem's leaflet about the  pre- and post-analytical proficiency testing.

To go further, know what are the benefits for laboratories participating in Proficiency Testing Schemes, check:

- the ILAC  (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) brochure:  benefits for laboratories participating in proficiency testing programs

- Eurachem's leaflets :  How can proficiency testing help my laboratory, Selecting the right proficiency testing scheme for my laboratory, Proficiency testing - How much, and how often, How to investigate poor performance in proficiency testing