Interlaboratory comparisons
Laboratories continually aim to guarantee the quality of their measurement results. No matter how professionally they perform their internal quality checks, sources of errors sometimes remain unnoticed. Eventually this could result in loss of reputation of the laboratory or legal or other actions being undertaken by clients or other stakeholders. It is therefore important to regularly compare the measuring results to those from other laboratories. Participation in inter-laboratory comparisons is an indispensable investment in reliability, operational security and confidence in a laboratory's own performance. VSL is accredited (RvA R006) for organizing interlaboratory comparisons in a range of fields (pressure, mass, temperature, moisture and chemical analyses.) VSL also organizes interlaboratory comparisons in the field of electricity and geometry and other fields on demand.
Worldwide network
Laboratories from all over the world participate in our program. VSL participates in worldwide key comparisons of standards between national metrology institutes and is involved in many international projects and committees. It has thus built a sound knowledge in the area of measuring methods and the often difficult concept of measurement uncertainty. This is reflected in the quality of the proficiency testings we develop and the assistance we can provide in answering questions and solving measurement problems.
VSL's mission
VSL considers PT Schemes to be a part of its mission to assist its customers in all of their measuring processes. Here, our calibration services and organized PT Schemes go hand in hand.
Summary
Laboratories that consider quality to be of paramount importance attach great value to participation in PT Schemes because:
- It provides either confirmation of their satisfactory performance or an alert that potential problems within their laboratory require investigation.
- They consider PTs as a quality and risk management tool.
- They recognize the educational role of PTs.
- Successful performance provides added confidence to individual staff, management and internal and/or external clients.
- It satisfies the requirements of regulatory and accreditation bodies.
- It offers a valuable contribution to the strategic marketing decisions of their laboratory, as it indicates the performance of the laboratory when compared to other laboratories.
ComPass (Comparison and Proficiency Assessment Services):
For inquiries or further information please contact our ComPass service desk:
VSL
Peter van Otterloo
P.O. Box 654
2600 AR Delft
The Netherlands
T +31 (0) 15 269 1500
F +31 (0) 15 261 2971