Proficiency Testing Provider Program

Important NELAC Information

Although A2LA is currently recognized by the NELAC Board of Directors as a NELAC Proficiency Testing Provider Accreditor / Proficiency Testing Oversight Body, presently we have not accredited any providers to the 2003 NELAC Chapter 2 requirements of this program.

The NELAC Director has required the indefinite suspension of the A2LA Timetable. A2LA continues to support the EPA's efforts in the implementation of this aspect of the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA). We regret that there have been misperceptions of our role and therefore, we have requested an audience with the NELAC Board of Directors to discuss the best way to move forward.

View listing of accredited Proficiency Testing Providers

The A2LA Accreditation Program for Providers of Proficiency Testing (PT) Programs is designed for proficiency testing providers who wish to demonstrate their competence by formal compliance with a set of internationally-acceptable requirements for the planning and implementation of proficiency testing programs. The program will also provide users of proficiency testing programs (laboratories, accreditation bodies, technical assessors, etc…) increased confidence that the programs being relied upon are being operated competently in accordance with specified technical and management system requirements.

The requirements for this program are listed in the PT Provider Requirements Assessor Checklist and are based upon those contained in the ILAC (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation) Guidelines for the Requirements for the Competence of Providers of Proficiency Testing (ILAC-G13:2000). These ILAC requirements are based on ISO Guide 43-1 (1997) and on the relevant elements of ISO/IEC 17025:1999 (ISO/IEC Guide 25’s replacement) applicable to characterization, homogeneity and stability testing of proficiency testing materials. In addition, the relevant ISO 9000 requirements have been included to eliminate the need for a separate recognition of proficiency testing providers for ISO 9000 compliance.

This program applies only to the use of inter-laboratory comparisons for the purpose of proficiency testing (to determine the performance of individual laboratories for specific tests or measurements and to monitor laboratories’ continuing performance). It does not include determining the effectiveness and precision of test methods or determining the characteristics of a material to a particular degree of accuracy, such as in the preparation of reference materials. Furthermore, accreditation under this program is limited to commercial PT providers.

A2LA recommends that, whenever possible, A2LA-accredited testing and calibration laboratories use accredited PT providers to meet the A2LA requirements for participation in proficiency testing.

Application Documents

The full application package includes the following three documents:

(1) This Application Form

(2) The A2LA Program for Accreditation of PT Providers Procedures Manual

(3) The PT Provider Requirements Assessor Checklist

If you do not have all three of these documents, please contact A2LA Headquarters to obtain them.