Proficiency test according to ISO 17043

Interlaboratory comparisons may be used, for example, to:

• determine the performance of individual laboratories for specific tests of measurements and to monitor laboratories´ continuing performance
• identify problems in laboratories and initiate remedial actions which may be related to, for example, individual staff performance or calibration of instrumentation
• establish the effectiveness and comparability of new test or measurement methods and similarly to monitor established method
• provide additional confidence to laboratory clients
• identify interlaboratory differences
• determine the performance characteristics of a method – often known as collaborative trials

The proficiency test ofi-pts2012 covers a wide range of test methods in the field of material testing of plastics and elastomeric materials. Included is the testing of rubber and tests of various plastic products such as geotextiles, pipes, packaging materials, materials for vehicle constructions etc.

148 testing laboratories from 35 countries all over the world participated in the last proficiency test ofi-pts2011. A statistical evaluation was performed on 739 test results, which have been determined in 69 methods covered by this proficiency test