ISO/IEC 17043:2023 describes the general requirements for the competence and impartiality of proficiency testing (PT) providers and consistent operation of all proficiency testing schemes.
ISO /IEC 17043:2023 can be used by regulatory authorities, organizations and schemes using peer-assessment, accreditation bodies and others to confirm or recognize the competence of proficiency testing providers.
Among the most important points of the ISO/IEC 17043:2023 we can find:
DATA ANALYSIS
Section 7.4.1 describes how the results must be recorded and analyzed by the PT provider.
Results received from participants shall be recorded and analyzed by appropriate methods. SHAPYPRO provide standardized method to accomplish this. Summary statistics, performance statistics and associated information consistent with statistical design of the PT scheme are generated.
Moreover, it describes the functions the PT provider should be meet. Among these functions, we have the following:
- The PT provider shall have procedures for treatment of results from different measurement or test methods, where the PT scheme allows participants to use different measurement or test methods.
- The PT provider shall have documented criteria and procedures for dealing with measurement or test results that are inappropriate for statistical evaluation, e.g because of calculation errors or other gross errors.
- The PT provider shall have documented criteria and procedure to identify and mange situations where PT items that have been distributed and collected data are subsequently found to be unsuitable for performance evaluation, e.g because of instability, damage or contamination.
EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE
Section 7.4.2 describes the methods of evaluation the PT provide should use to meet the objective of the PT scheme.
The PT provider shall provide expert commentary on the performance of participants with regards to the following:
- Overall performance against prior expectations, taking measurements uncertainties into account.
- Variation within and between participants, and comparisons with any previous PT rounds, similar PT schemes, or published data.
- Variation between measurements or test methods.
- Possible sources of error and suggestions for improving performance.
- Advice and feedback to participants as part of the continuous improvement procedures of participants.
- Situations where unusual factors make evaluation of results and commentary on performance impossible.
- Any other suggestions, recommendation or general comments.
