Aims and Scope

Laboratories participate in Proficiency Tests (PTs) to demonstrate their competence. The results in a PT will give you valuable insights into your performance, help maintain and improve quality, and serve as a reliable tool for quality and risk management. This PT is not accredited by ISO/IEC 17043:2023 and is not covered by the EA-MLA, IAF-MLA and ILAC-MRA agreements.

VSL organizes PTs with the highest care. When organizing PT ROAS Asbestos, VSL will:

• provide a suitable sample;
• deliver a report with an independent assessment per analyst.

Criteria of Participation

Laboratories involved in asbestos fiber counting using phase contrast microscopy.

Quantities to be Measured

Participants are advised to use their routine methods for sampling and analysis and the equipment that is used in routine measurement for this purpose. Laboratories should calibrate their equipment in accordance with their usual practices.

Method and Equipment

Participants are advised to use their routine methods for sampling and analysis and the equipment that is used in routine measurement for this purpose. Laboratories should calibrate their equipment in accordance with their usual practices.

Instructions and Protocol

VSL will provide the protocol before shipping the samples.

Schedule

The schedule of this PT can be found on our website. VSL aims to make the PT items available within approximately 4 months or less after registration closes. The PT report will be released no later than six weeks after the deadline for submitting the results by the participants.

Assigned Value

The consensus value will be used as the assigned values. The consensus values in this proficiency test are calculated as described in ISO 13528:2022, algorithm A.

Performance Evaluation

The results will be evaluated using the normalized error (En-score).

Interpretation of the En-score is as follows:

|En| <= 1 Satisfactory performance

|En| > 1 Unsatisfactory performance

The final report presents results anonymously. Each laboratory can identify its own performance via a unique code. VSL guarantees full confidentiality and does not share individual data with third parties.

Deliverables

VSL will provide 10 to 12 asbestos membrane filters and provide a comprehensive test report.

Confidentiality Statement

The identity of the participant is confidential, and so is the relationship between any participant, its submitted results and the performance evaluation. Results in the PT scheme will be collated, processed, reported and released in anonymised form. The PT reports are provided to the participants only. PT reports and calibration certificates are subject to copyright. You will receive the reference material certificates after the PT evaluation has been carried out.

Payment Terms

Payment in advance, at least one month before the start.

Failure to pay on time may result in exclusion from participation, without any right to refund or compensation.

Participants

The PT is open to 15-20 participants. If fewer than 15 laboratories register, VSL may cancel or postpone the PT. In such cases, all registered participants will be notified and offered alternative options.