How Proficiency Testing Can Foster Quality Assurance

Jenny Rodgers

June 8, 2017

Any laboratory can report results, but how can you be sure of the quality of those results? It’s a question customers should ask of any laboratory providing results: “How do I know my results are correct?” Laboratory inspections, which include checking a lab’s procedures and equipment, are one piece of the puzzle. The other less commonly looked at piece is a lab’s proficiency testing results.

What is proficiency testing?

Proficiency tests, also referred to as “round robin tests” or “ring trials”, are intended to check the actual analytical performance of a laboratory. Identical samples are sent out to laboratories who have actively decided to participate in a PT round or scheme. All of the participants individually analyze the samples and results are collected in a designated time frame. At this point, a statistical analysis will be performed by the PT round provider to evaluate the accuracy of the laboratories. According to DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025, accredited testing laboratories must participate in proficiency testing regularly in order to ensure the quality of their analyses.

How can I take part in a proficiency testing round?

Trilogy EU provides a wide variety of proficiency testing rounds. Learn more about the current testing scheme here. 

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About Trilogy

Trilogy is a food and feed safety laboratory specializing in mycotoxins, mycotoxin binder analysis, biogenic amines and animal drug residue testing. Trilogy Analytical Laboratory opened its doors in 1999 when its founders recognized a need in the mycotoxin industry for quick result turn-around utilizing reliable reference methods provided in an analytical setting. One of the main pillars of Trilogy’s strategy is to operate using a comprehensive quality program that we can rely on to ensure performance parameters are met every single time. From this philosophy the Trilogy line of quality products was born with the mycotoxin industry in mind.