Proficiency Testing/Interlaboratory Comparisons play an important role that is widely accepted in demonstrating the validity of results of any laboratory and inspection body. To ensure a coherent approach in the field within an economy, accreditation bodies develop specific policies for laboratories and inspection bodies’ participation in proficiency testing/interlaboratory comparisons.
39 Proficiency Testing/Interlaboratory Comparisons policies of accreditation bodies were reviewed for key requirements: initial accreditation, participations of accreditation per accreditation cycle and acceptance criteria of PT/ILC providers.
Within the analyzed policies a wide range of approaches was identified especially for the number of participations and acceptance criteria set by different bodies
Even though the analyzed policies belong to accreditation bodies which are signatories of the same regional agreement, there is no harmonized approach with respect to Proficiency Testing/Interlaboratory Comparisons usage in the accreditation process