Quality Consult Proficiency Testing (PT) schemes are organized for laboratories of the environmental sector, both public and private, at national and international level, within the frame of a permanent collaborative programme since 2004. Quality Consult organizes the following types of proficiency testing schemes:

a) QC PT schemes;

b) PT-WFD PT schemes;

c) Pilot PT schemes;

d) PT schemes upon request.

Participation in Proficiency Testing (PT) schemes is strongly recommended by ISO 17025:2005 and the accreditation bodies as a tool for the independent assessment of laboratory performance. It supports the reliability of the produced data and is a help in maintaining the accredited status. The QC PT Programme was launched in 2004. Since then 100 exercises have been conducted on the determination of inorganic (trace elements, major components) and organic compounds (PAHs, pesticides, PCBs, halogenated solvents, aromatic solvents) in surface and river water, drinking water, groundwater, wastewater, sewage sludge, sediment and soil samples with the participation of 230, mainly Italian, public and private laboratories.

Quality Consult approach

Quality Consult (QC) PT schemes are organized according to the relevant international standards and guides on PT management e.g.: ISO/IEC Guide 43-1:1997, 43-2:1997, ILAC G13:2007 ISO and ISO 13528:2005.

The test materials used in the exercises are prepared and characterized by qualified producers. All the materials are characterized in terms of homogeneity and stability of the target analytes. The characterization reports of the materials constitute a part of the final report of the corresponding exercise.

The statistical evaluation of results is carried out according to ISO 13528:2005 and the laboratory performance is evaluated based on Z-score. The assigned value for the evaluation of laboratory performance is defined as the median of all the results (§ 5.6, ISO 13528:2005 (E)). The deviation unit is determined according to the 'fit-for-purpose' criteria (§ 6.3, ISO 13528:2005(E)), including the homogeneity of the test material in the calculations (Annex B, ISO 13528:2005(E)). The 'fit-for-purpose criteria' is based on the case by case consideration of the measurand itself, its target concentration level, the matrix in question and the state-of-the-art of the analytical methods.

The participation fee for each exercise comprises (costs are detailed in the website pages of the different campaigns):

test material
access to the RESERVED AREA of the website of Quality Consult
exercise guidelines
support of the "Scientific Helpdesk"
evaluation report(s)

The support of the 'Scientific Helpdesk' is available from Monday to Friday, please contact us via email (helpdesk@aqc.it ) or phone (+39 06 97840616). The Helpdesk is available for any scientific advice on proficiency testing exercises and/or to request general information.

Communication between Quality Consult and participating laboratories is a priority for the company. Telephone number and e-mail addresses are available on the Contacts page. In addition, a RESERVED AREA for our customers has been available since 2007. RESERVED AREA allows clients to access our services online:

I. Registration

You may download the Registration form from here.

Please fill in the form and send it back by e-mail (qualityconsult@aqc.it) or fax (+39 06 97840718) by the defined registration deadline. The schedule of exercises organized within the QC 2010 Programme is presented in Brochure QC 2010. Please refer to the schedule for the registration deadlines. The registration deadline may vary from 1 to 3 months before the beginning date of the exercises.

Upon the receipt of the filled-in registration form, the applicant will receive the payment details and the personal login name and password to access the RESERVED AREA. The exercises will be organized if, and only if, sufficient number of laboratories subscribe. In case of less than 10 subscriptions, Quality Consult retains the right to call the exercise off. In this case, already paid laboratories will be fully refunded.

Discounts will be applied depending on both the number of exercises chosen and the date of registration. An additional discount of 5% shall be provided for laboratories that participated in our PT schemes in 2009. Further details are provided in "Discount QC 2010" table.

 

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II. Dispatch of samples


The samples are dispatched by courier once per campaign. The "by-dates" are specified in the schedule of exercises, while the exact dates are to be announced under NEWS on the website of Quality Consult at least a week in advance.

The participants are kindly requested to acknowledge the receipt of the samples via fax (+39 06 97840718). In case the samples are not arriving within 5 working days from the communicated dispatch date, the laboratory is advised to contact the HelpDesk of Quality Consult at helpdesk@aqc.it.

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III. Sample analysis

Participants generally shall complete the analysis following the provided exercise guidelines and to submit results by the defined corresponding deadline. In general, three replicate measurements are requested per sample.

If sample aliquot allows, registered participants may produce and submit more than one set of results per analyte (e.g.: two sets produced by two operators; various sets produced by the use of different instruments). These parallel sets shall be completely independent results and will be both subject to evaluation.

Along the PT exercise progress period, laboratories may benefit from the support of the Scientific Helpdesk of Quality Consult via helpdesk@aqc.it and phone (+39 06 97840616).

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IV. Submission of results

Laboratories shall submit their results by the deadline indicated in the schedule via the on line submission system. The system may be accessed only using the personal login name and password (within the RESERVED AREA).

Shall any problem be encountered during the submission of results it is to be immediately communicated to the Scientific Helpdesk at helpdesk@aqc.it.

Results submitted after the deadline will not be included in the statistical data evaluation and therefore not presented in the respective evaluation report. The organizers may in any case assign the Z-score to these results based on the results of the other participants.

As well as the failure to meet the deadline becomes evident, the partecipants shall inform the organizer.

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V. Technical report publication


At the end of each exercise, within a month after the result submission deadline, the technical evaluation report of the exercise is uploaded to the RESERVED AREA for the participants.

The reports comprise the following parts:

1) detailed information on the organization of the exercise
2) description of the statistical evaluation of the results
3) full list of submitted results (with assigned code)
4) statistical evaluation of results with graphs and tables
5) performance evaluation with the assigned Z-scores
6) details about the preparation and characterization of test materials.
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