The 9th International Workshop – Proficiency Testing in Analytical Chemistry, Microbiology and Laboratory Medicine will be held in Portorož, Slovenia during October 2017, organized by the Eurachem Proficiency Testing Working Group in association with EQALM and CITAC. This international PT workshop, building on the success of previous workshops, will enable delegates from around the world to come together to discuss a wide range of key issues across the three disciplines of analytical chemistry, microbiology and laboratory medicine.

Quick links:

• Workshop information
• Programme
• Introductory/Training sessions
• Presentations – Day 1
• Presentations – Day 2
• Presentations – Day 3
• Workshop session summaries
• Posters

Workshop information

Date:	9th – 12th October 2017
Venue:	St. Bernardin Resort, Portorož, Slovenia
Website:	www.eurachempt2017.eu
First circular:	Download the first circular (pdf, 1M)
Published  summary	Brookman, B., Butler, O., Ciaralli, L. et al. “Proficiency testing in analytical chemistry, microbiology and laboratory medicine: discussions on current practice and future directions”  Accred Qual Assur (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00769-018-1343-7.

Programme

Training/Introductory sessions

(Monday 9^th October)

Training Session 1

Basic Statistics (Michael Koch, Piotr Robouch)

PT Language and PT reports (Ulf Örnemark)

Training Session 2

Sophisticated PT statistical techniques (Michael Koch, Piotr Robouch)

Graphical PT tools in ISO13528 (Kelly Black)

Training Session 3

Basic Statistics (Michael Koch, Piotr Robouch)

PT Language and PT reports (Ulf Örnemark)

Training Session 4

Sophisticated PT statistical techniques (Michael Koch, Piotr Robouch)

Graphical PT tools in ISO13528 (Kelly Black)

Workshop sessions

Tuesday 10^th October

Welcome address [PDF, 1.6 MB] Brian Brookman & Mitja Kolar
Session 1 Chairs: Brian Brookman, Mitja Kolar
[K-01]	The importance of interpretative PT schemes Vincente Catalán, ielab (Spain)
[K-02]	Changes to PTs in developing countries over the last ten years Michael Koch, University of Stuttgart (Germany)
Session 2 Chair: Owen Butler
[K-03]	Implementing ISO/IEC 17043 for sampling PTs Jean Poulleau, Ineris (France)
[O-01]	Proficiency Testing Programmes by Health Sciences Authority Singapore, with assigned values determined by a reference method Pui Sze Cheow, Chemical Metrology Laboratory (Singapore)
[O-02]	Calculation of the standard deviation for proficiency assessment in microbiological proficiency testing schemes Raquel Múrtula, ielab Calidad (Spain)
Session 3 Chair: Ulla Tiikkainen
	Working group feedback session 1 – see Working group summaries

Top ^^Wednesday 11^th October

Session 4 Chair: Kees van Putten
[K-04]	Traditional vs. virtual PT items [Prezi] István Juhos, University of Szeged (Hungary) [Prezi: opens on Prezi site. Use arrow keys to advance the presentation]
[K-05]	Experience of the implementation of EA-4/18 Ian Mann, Swiss Accreditation Service (Switzerland)
Session 5 Chair: Michael Koch
[K-06]	Use and treatment of measurement uncertainty in PT schemes [PDF, 560 kB] Steve Ellison, LGC (United Kingdom)
[O-03]	Estimates of measurement uncertainty using data from participation in External Quality Assessment Schemes for trace elements in biological fluids Marina Patriarca, Istituto superiore di sanità (Italy)
[O-04]	Immunosuppressant PT: Investigation of results submitted for the IPT Scheme for the various methodologies used Karen Morgan, LGC (United Kingdom)
Session 6 Chair: Marina Patriarca
	Working group feedback session 2 – see Working group summaries

Top ^^Thursday 12^th October

Session 7
Chair: Monika Horsky
[O-05]	Statistical methods to estimate the assigned value in presence of multiple censored results Marzia Mancin, Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (Italy)
[O-06]	Taking laboratory measurement uncertainties into account in assigned value estimates Bertrand Colson, QuoData (Germany)
[O-07]	What did we learn from the 25 PTs organised by the EURL HM in the past 10 years? Piotr Robouch, European Commission, Joint Research Centre (Belgium)
[O-08]	Novel Proficiency Testing Scheme for 1H, 31P and 19F Quantitative Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (qNMR) Kathrin Breitruck, Sigma-Aldrich Production (Switzerland)
Session 8
Chairs: Brian Brookman, Mitja Kolar
[O-09]	Proficiency Tests for Substances of Emerging Concern in Drinking Water Ulrich Borchers, IWW Water Centre, Germany [file updated 16/10/2017]
[O-10]	How good are laboratories at analyzing silica in workplace air? Results from the AIR proficiency testing programme Owen Butler, Health and Safety Laboratory, United Kingdom
Closing address [PDF, 1.4 MB] Brian Brookman Chair, Eurachem PT Working group

Top ^^

Working group summaries

Working group feedback session 1
Chair: Ulla Tiikkainen

• WG1: The importance of interpretative PT/EQA schemes [PDF, 112 kB]
• WG2: Changes to PT/EQA schemes in developing countries over the last ten years [PDF, 91 kB]
• WG3: Implementing ISO/IEC 17043 for sampling PT/EQA schemes [PDF, 76 kB]

Working group feedback session 2
Chair: Marina Patriarca

• WG4: Traditional vs virtual PT/EQA items [PDF, 96 kB]
• WG5: Experience of the implementation of EA-4/18 [PDF, 84 kB]
• WG6: Use and treatment of measurement uncertainty in PT/EQA schemes [PDF, 112 kB]

Top ^^

 Posters

• [P-02] EAC – Pharmaceutical Laboratories Proficiency Test Round 5: Assay of Quinine Sulphate Tablets by titration
  R. Shedafa, P. Tibalinda, V. Manyanga, E. Kaale
• [P-03] PT program for the determination of total mercury and total arsenic in soil
  Wei Hu, Luofei Hu, Yanchun Tong
• [P-04] Establishment of the Proficiency Testing Programs in the Philippines
  Leah C. Dajay, Teresita R. Portugal, Ma. Rachel V. Parcon, Jolly C. Climaco,Rose Elaine E. Placio, Prudencio E. Adona Jr.
• [P-05] Provision of proficiency testing for histamine in canned tuna to improve the capability of chemical laboratories in the Philippines
  B. S. Ebarvia, A. Dacuya, S. R. Cabanilla, N. R. Mamplata
• [P-06] Evaluation of Laboratory Proficiency Test Performance Using Reference Material for Benzoic Acid in Mango Juice
  N. R. Mamplata, B. S. Ebarvia, A. Dacuya, S. R. Cabanilla
• [P-07] Maximizing the benefits of proficiency testing in developing countries
  W. van Vark, J. Harmsden
• [P-08] Proficiency Testing Scheme on Lead Calibration Solution for Philippine Testing Laboratories
  E. K. P. Encarnacion, N. R. Mamplata, B. S. Ebarvia, H. H. Bion, E. D. Tayag, L. M. Piquero, R. L. Damian, I. E. Ubando, C. C. Cortez
• [P-09] A proficiency test organised by APLAC for the determination of lead and nickel in drinking water
  Yun S Kim, Jeongyup Lee, Jaewon Choi, Ounchul Na, Sanjin Song
• [P-10] Increasing Laboratory Quality through Proficiency Testing Program – Study Case Indonesian PT Scheme
  C. Elishian, E. Mardika, I. Komalasari, N. Aryana, D. Putri, A. Handayani, R. Ketrin
• [P-11] Proficiency Testing on the pH measurement: Three years evaluation
  F. S. H. Krismastuti, N. Aryana, A. Hindayani, D. Putri, S. Nuryatini
• [P-12] Proficiency testing scheme for chemical analyses of water in Africa
  Merylinda Conradie, Michael Koch, Donald Masuku
• [P-14] Proficiency test accreditation program manure ‘AP05’
  K. van Putten, N. van Heeringen
• [P-15] Validation of the homogeneity and stability of solid manure samples provided in REQUASUD proficiency tests
  T. Cugnon, E. Pitchugina, V. Planchon, C. Poncelet, R. lambert
• [P-16] Importance of PT Programmes for the Correctness of Laboratory Results
  J. Srnkova, E. Matejova
• [P-17] Evaluation of the reproducibility standard deviation in the pesticide multi-residue methods on olive oil from past proficiency test
  Patrizia Stefanelli, Tiziana Generali, Silvana Girolimetti, Danilo Attard Barbini
• [P-18] Results of the 16th Proficiency Test on pesticide residues in olive oil
  Tiziana Generali, Patrizia Stefanelli, Silvana Girolimetti, Danilo Attard Barbini
• [P-19] PT as an instrument to assess the analytical performance and the methods routinely implemented: the Italian experience for the screening of antibiotic residues in milk in the official control
  Anna Maria Ferrini, Brunella Appicciafuoco, Maria Rosa Massaro, Marina Patriarca
• [P-20] Proficiency Test and Method Comparison for Triphenylmethane Dyes in Aquaculture
  M. Soyke, J. Eich, J. Mankertz
• [P-21] Multi-laboratory validation study for a confirmatory method for NSAIDs in milk
  K. Kittler, K. Frost, C. Lund, M. Stoyke, S. Uhlig, J. Polzer
• [P-22] Direct mercury determination: a “tool” to thoroughly investigate the homogeneity of proficiency test materials
  M. Ciprotti, A. Colabucci, A. Chiara Turco, M. di Gregorio, A. Sorbo, M. D’amato, G. Fornari Luswergh, L. Ciaralli
• [P-23] Development of a matrix proficiency test material for the measurement of Aflatoxin M1 in cheese
  S. Xystouris, M. Whetton
• [P-24] Proficiency-testing scheme using true samples for Gluten detection in processed food
  C. laurent, C. Mazzoni, A. Boubetra, E. Diore, S. Nguyen, L. Pirot
• [P-25] Determination of quality parameters in meat: A comparison of participant performance from two independent PT schemes
  M. Whetton, H. Jordan
• [P-26] Proficiency Testing – a Tool for Continuous Analytical Improvement?
  Markus Arndt
• [P-27] Preparation of items for a Proficiency Testing Scheme of textiles
  Juana Isabel Ferreiro Lopez-Rioboo, Natalia Crespo Gonzalez, P. Lopez-Mahia, S. Muniategui-Lorenzo, D. Prada-Rodriguez
• [P-28] Design of proficiency test items by 3D printing technology
  P. Mosquero Naveira, N. Crespo Gonzalez
• [P-29] A proficiency testing scheme for the analysis of residual solvents in pharmaceutical products
  K. Baryla, M. Whetton
• [P-30] Development of a semi-automated system for the spiking of thermal desorption sorbent tubes with volatile organic compounds
  V. Brown, O. Butler, I. Pengelly, N. Plant
• [P-31] Proficiency testing on solid waste material, to support circular economy
  R. Koivikko, M. Leivuori, M. Kaasalainen
• [P-32] Proficiency Testing for Priority Substances in Surface Water at the Analytical Limit
  F. Baumeister, U. Borchers, P. Balsaa, D. Leverett, B. Ellor, M. Koch
• [P-33] Proficiency Tests for PAH in Surface Water for EU-WFD Monitoring Including Real Suspended Solids
  M. Koch, F. Baumeister
• [P-34] Proficiency test round for the determination of Ti in waste water
  Ksenija Gradišek, Alenka Stepancic, Andreja Podlesnik, Karmen Rajer Kanduc, Sonja Žagar
• [P-35] Acquisition of stability data for pesticides in water sample through proficiency tests
  C. Laurent, E. Ziegler, A. Tirad, A. Boubetra
• [P-36] The role of U&SP inter-laboratory6 comparison testing program in strengthening the capacity of official medicines control laboratories in low- and middle-income countries*
  H. Ramanathan, D. Charles, P. Nkansah
• [P-37] Assessment of the laboratories and statistical approach in rabies serology proficiency testing: how to combine international standard and statistics?
  M. Wasniewski, M. Laurentie, F. Cliquet
• [P-38] Traceability and method groups of C-reactive protein results
  P. Ranta, U. Tiikkainen, A. latvala, K. Akerman
• [P-39] Proficiency Tests with SI Traceable Reference Values – Example of PT on Chloramphenicol in Plasma
  J. Polzer, M. Stoyke
• [P-41] The use of virtual microscopy in a clinical proficiency testing program
  Sue Empson, Shannon Mertz, Sue Styles
• [P-42] Food microbiology proficiency testing and performance testing of culture media in accordance with ISO 11133:2014: a case study
  Paola Carnieletto, Maria Grimaldi
• [P-43] What interpretation, RAEMA, a Proficiency Testing Scheme in food microbiology, supplies to laboratories
  L. A. mandjee, J-C Augustin, E. Riouall, V. Carlier
• [P-44] European Union Reference Laboratory for Escherichia coli: 2006-2017 PT Provider activity
  C. Ferreri, R. Tozzoli, A. Maugliani, P. Chiani, S. Arancia, V. Michelacci, F. Minelli, S. Babsa, F. Galati, M. Patriarca, A. Caprioli, S. Morabito
• [P-45] Identification of Prion protein genotype in sheep in Italy: eleven years of PTs
  B. Chiappini, G. Scavia, L. Morelli, M. Conte, G. Perrotta Maria, U. Agrimi, M. Patriarca, G. Vaccari
• [P-46] Enumeration of Lactic Acid Bacteria – Improvement areas highlighted by PTs
  M. Abdul Massih, V. Planchon, E. Pitchugina, J. Mahillon
• [P-47] The development of a proficiency testing sample for surface swabbing
  A. Eden
• [P-48] Microbiology proficiency-testing scheme in wine
  C. Laurent, C. Mazzoni, A. Boubetra, S. Nguyen, A. Tirard
• [P-49] Open access of the proficiency test reports – useful or not?
  M. Leivuori, R. Koivikko, K. Bjorkloff
• [P-50] Why the estimation of uncertainty with bootstrapping does not work for the Q/Hampel Method
  M. Koch
• [P-51] Estimating the Uncertainties of Algorithm A Means
  M. Koch
• [P-52] Use, misuse and abuse of z’-scoring
  Pedro Rosario, José Luis Martínez, José Silván, Francisco Raposo
• [P-53] Using z’-scores with an assigned value obtained by consensus: a new possibility in ISO 13528:2015
  Régine Fuselier, Michel Laurentie, Eric Verdon
• [P-54] Model of uncertainty for the variability of water microbiological enumeration in a proficiency testing scheme
  O. Molinier, P. Guarini
• [P-55] Results of the 5th InterCinD™ proficiency test
  S. Raccanelli, S. Libralato, S. Manganelli, I. Battaglia
• [P-56] Use and interpretation of the uncertainties of participants in a proficiency test
  C. Laurent, E. Ziegler, A. Tirard, A. Boubetra
• P-57] EU Proficiency Tests for pesticide residues in fruit and vegetables from 2009 to 2016: overview and main achievements
  C. Ferrer, A. Lozano, S. Ucles, A. Valverde, A. R. Fernandez-Alba