Association de santé publique vétérinaire (asa-spv)
Association de santé publique vétérinaire (asa-spv)
7th International Proficiency Testing Conference
in Oradea (Romania)
on 10 to 13 september 2019
The 7th International Proficiency Testing Conference was held on 10th to 13th September 2019 in Oradea (Romania).
It was organized by CEPROCIM SA (Bucarest) and AFSIC (Association of Proficiency Testing Providers) in
cooperation with Agora University of Oradea. The conference gave a framework for discussions, exchanges of
knowledge and expertise between proficiency testing providers, laboratories and accreditation bodies according
to the Motto : « There is no science without measurements, no quality without testing and no global market »
(The Commission of the European Union).
105 authors and co-authors from 20 different countries have prepared 32 manuscripts presented as posters or oral presentations on the following themes :
On this occasion, ASA has been represented by Leïla ALI MANDJEE who proposed an oral presentation on the following subject « Development of a proficiency testing scheme in food microbiology on Campylobacter ». This presentation highlighted ASA and its activities. These activities are always linked to the assessment of laboratories and their needs. Accent was put on the development of the new parameter Campylobacter (enumeration and detection) proposed in Gel RAEMA as a tool for the assessment of the performance of laboratories. Development works carried out in our laboratory have led to interesting results allowing the preparation of samples which are, at this time, sent, as experimental tests, to participants of Gel RAEMA schemes.
Interesting oral presentations have also been proposed, on themes such as the calculation of the assigned
value including the taking into account of the uncertainty. An estimator has been developed in this way by
engineers of Prolab software (QuoData).
The setting up of a virtual proficiency testing in food microbiology has also been presented. Pictures of
Petri dishes were sent and allowed to focus on post-analytical steps: counting of colonies, interpretation
of the confirmation tests and calculation of the final result. Origins of error can then be quantified.
The important question of collusion between participants has also been approached. A proficiency test
following a specific pattern has been described. However, it is difficult for providers to point out this
problem and to avoid this practice.
This latest point has been discussed in the working group, conducted by professors Dan THOLEN (A2LA ILAC, USA)
and Michael KOCH (University Stuttgart, Germany). The discussion dealt with the revision of the standard
ISO/IEC 17043 which will begin in 2020. Participants were invited to highlight points they want to specify,
remove, or add. Points, previously approached during the Eurachem PT Workshop in 2017 and transcribed in a
scientific article, served of the basis for the discussion.
The revision of the standard will be done on the same pattern as the standard ISO 17025. On the technical way,
a harmonisation has also been done with the standard ISO 13528, it is nevertheless wished that this standard
stay informative and do not become standardised.
The question of quick response test has also been approached. Discussions are in progress, particularly with
EA (European co-operation for Accreditation), in order to decide on their inclusion or not in proficiency tests.
An exact definition of this term in ISO 17043 seems to be important. This kind of test could replace traditional
tests when they are not available.
Precision concerning sampling tests should also be brought.
An additional comment has been made on the microbiological specification (ISO 22117). A comparison with the ISO 17043 could be done to check there is no contradiction.
A training session on evaluation of the measurement uncertainty in proficiency testing schemes from the point
of view of suppliers and participants has closed the PT Conference. Proposed by Ricardo BETTENCOURT DA SILVA
(University of Liboa, Portugal) and Fernando CORDEIRO RAPOSO (European Commission, Belgium), this session was
divided in two parts: a first theoretical part followed by a practical application. The calculation of the
uncertainty is a requirement of the standard ISO 17025 and is in accordance with the assessment of laboratories.
It also plays a key role in decision.
For its calculation, two approaches are possible: Bottom up approach (academic) and Top down approach (pragmatic).
Exchanges and discussions made this conference a privileged moment.
See you in 2 years…
