Abstract
Participation in proficiency testing schemes is necessary and beneficial for all testing laboratories across the world. Laboratories in developing countries face particular challenges in this context. These have been discussed during the last 10 years at various international workshops organized by Eurachem. An online survey on the developments during this period has been performed, and the results are presented here. Affordability and availability of proficiency tests as well as transport and customs issues are still the major problems. Installation of national or regional schemes could solve some of these problems, but their sustainability is a challenge. Finally, the author’s personal opinion on the conclusions that can be drawn from the results of the survey is given.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Belli M, Brookman B, de la Calle B, James V, Koch M, Majcen N, Menditto A, Noblett T, Perissi R, van Putten K, Robouch P, Šlapokas T, Taylor P, Tholen D, Thomas A, Tylee B (2009) Proficiency testing in analytical chemistry, microbiology and laboratory medicine: working discussions on current practice and future directions. Accred Qual Assur 14:507–512
Brookman B, Bulska E, Butler O, Koch M, Noblett T, van Putten K, Robouch P (2012) Proficiency testing in analytical chemistry, microbiology and laboratory medicine: working discussions on current practice and future directions. Accred Qual Assur 17:445–451
Brookman B, Butler O, Koch M, Noblett T, Örnemark U, Patriarca M, van Putten K, Robouch P (2015) Proficiency testing in analytical chemistry, microbiology and laboratory medicine: discussions on current practice and future directions. Accred Qual Assur 20:339–344
United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Statistics Division: Standard country or area codes for statistical use. https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/. Accessed 18 Jan 2018
EPTIS database on proficiency testing schemes. http://www.eptis.org. Accessed 21 Nov 2017
ISO, IEC 17025 (2017) General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. International Organization for Standardization, Geneva
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Electronic supplementary material
Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Koch, M. Changes to proficiency testing in developing countries over the last 10 years. Accred Qual Assur 24, 9–12 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00769-018-1322-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00769-018-1322-z