The Organisation give participants sufficient prior notice before sending proficiency test items, providing the date on which the proficiency test items are likely to arrive or to be despatched, unless the design of the proficiency testing scheme makes it inappropriate to do so.
The organization provides detailed documented instructions to all participants.The Instructions provided to participants, as applicable, includes the following:
Organisation has a policy that Participants should use the test method as per design of PT scheme, they are not allowed to use the test method of their choice to participate in the oragnisation designed PT schemes. The test methods are communicated to all participants through consent form FORM-1.
The necessity to treat proficiency test items in the same manner as the majority of routinely tested samples, unless there are particular requirements of the proficiency testing scheme which require departure from this principle;
Details of factors which could influence the testing of the proficiency test items, e.g. the nature of the proficiency test items, conditions of storage, whether the proficiency testing scheme is limited to selected test methods, and the timing of the testing;
Detailed procedure for preparing or conditioning, or both preparing and conditioning, of the proficiency test items before conducting the tests;
Any appropriate instructions on handling the proficiency test items, including any safety requirements;
Any specific environmental conditions for the participant to conduct tests and, if relevant, any requirement for the participants to report relevant environmental conditions during the time of the measurement;
Specific and detailed instructions on the manner of recording and reporting test results, such as the units of measurement, the number of significant figures or decimal places and reporting basis (e.g. on dry weight, or “as received”) etc. and associated uncertainties. If the instructions include reporting of the uncertainty of the reported result, this also include the coverage factor and, whenever practicable, the coverage probability;
The latest date for the provider to receive the proficiency testing results for analysis;
Information on the contact details of the Organisation (proficiency testing provider) for enquiries; and
Instructions on return of the proficiency test items, when applicable.
