Proficiency Testing Provider accreditation

Participation in PT schemes allow laboratories to assess their conduct of specific tests, measurements or calibrations compared to similar laboratories. The ongoing opportunity to compare data can minimise the risk of errors, biases or differences which may occur when operating in isolation.

Proficiency testing provides a chance to undertake comparisons and to have an independent appraisal of the laboratory’s data compared to reference values (or other performance criteria) or to the performance of similar laboratories. The results from such participation provide laboratory managers with either a confirmation that the laboratory’s performance is satisfactory or an alert that investigation of potential problems within the laboratory is required.

Accreditation provides users of these schemes (such as laboratories, regulatory bodies, UKAS technical assessors) with increased confidence that the schemes are being operated competently in accordance with specified technical and management system requirements. UKAS has accredited providers of PT schemes in the following areas:

• Plant health
• Animal Health
• Human body fluids
• Forensics
• Gases and Emissions
• Food and Water
• Healthcare
• Waste Water
• Soils
• Toys
• Pharmaceuticals
• Jewellery
• Cosmetics
• Legionella