Role and Evaluation of Interlaboratory Comparison Results in Laboratory Accreditation

Abstract

Participation in interlaboratory comparisons provides laboratories an opportunity for independent assessment of their analytical performance, both in absolute way and in comparison with those by other techniques. However, such comparisons are hindered by differences in the way laboratories participate, e.g. at best measurement capability or under routine conditions. Neutron activation analysis laboratories, determining total mass fractions, often see themselves classified as 'outliers' since the majority of other participants employ techniques with incomplete digestion methods. These considerations are discussed in relation to the way results from interlaboratory comparisons are evaluated by accreditation bodies following the requirements of Clause 5.9.1 of the ISO/IEC 17025:2005. The discussion and conclusions come largely forth from experiences in the author's own laboratory.

Accreditation of Biomedical Calibration Measurements in Turkey

“…For accreditation studies, the quality assurance of the test results is obtained by interlaboratory comparisons and proficiency testing (PT) (Bode, 2008;Kubota et al, 2008;Kopler et al, 2005). The interlaboratory comparisons and proficiency testing bring significant benefits to laboratories.…”