Long-term (2001–2012) study of a proficiency testing scheme for textiles

Abstract

The official methods for the quantitative chemical analysis of binary mixtures of textile fibres are an effective tool with which the market surveillance authorities can detect frauds. It is possible to analyse the correlation between the composition determined in the laboratory and that supplied by those responsible for the product. In order to guarantee the technical competence in this field, a proficiency testing scheme was provided by the Galician Laboratory of consumer products. The aim of this study was to compare the results obtained over the years from 2001 to 2012 and to evaluate the changes in the number of participants. The involvement of laboratories since 2001 on this proficiency testing has experienced a positive trend; up to 34 laboratories have had the opportunity to compare their results and to evaluate their performance. Therefore, in parallel with this fact, in 2012 a larger number of laboratories obtained a successful participation in comparison with 2001. The number of participating laboratories is increasing, but in most of the rounds it is still insufficient to consider negligible the standard uncertainty of the assigned value. Furthermore, the number and experience of the laboratories may affect, among other factors, the assigned value that is obtained by consensus and thus may affect the performance evaluation.