Introduction to Proficiency Testing
Fapas proficiency testing provides an independent assessment of your laboratory performance and compares your results to laboratories worldwide. Taking part in our proficiency tests gives you confidence in your laboratory equipment, methods and staff, and assurance that you are delivering the quality results demanded by your customer.
Log-in and communications
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I cannot log-in to the website – help?
I cannot submit my results – help?
Where is my invoice?
Where is my order confirmation?
Where is the price list?
Can I order more samples?
Can I order more proficiency tests?
Can you help me?
Sample shipment
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Where is my sample?
What is my tracking number/airway bill number?
Where are the instructions or information with the samples?
My sample is delayed at the customs office – help?
My sample was shipped frozen but has arrived thawed?
Microbiology samples are delayed, are they stable?
Results & Method Submission
This webcast takes you through how to submit your results to Fapas for the interlaboratory comparisons.
Results submission
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I submitted incorrect results, can I resubmit them?
I cannot submit my results – help?
Where are my results?
Can I submit results after the closing date?
Technical
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My z-score/assessment for the proficiency test was not satisfactory. Is this because the test materials were not fit-for-purpose?
Are your proficiency tests accredited?
What does 'corrected for recovery' mean?
What does low level and high level mean in histamine testing?
What does low level and high level mean in metals testing?
Can I order a larger sized sample?
Microbiology technical
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The microbiology sample has been analysed outside of the recommended time frame. Will this affect the assessment?
The microbiology sample does not appear to be homogeneous. Can it still be analysed?
I use a PCR technique to detect Escherichia coli O157. Will participation in microbiology proficiency tests help me to check my laboratory performance?
I identified organisms other than the target organism in the test material. Are these organisms contaminants and would their presence have adversely affected my performance?
I use a most probable number technique (MPN) for my enumeration test and my results are expressed as MPN/g. Can I still participate in microbiology proficiency tests?
Further Videos from Fapas
Charting Proficiency Testing Results in Long Term
Hear more about charting proficiency testing results in long term and why you would want to do this.
Fapas Website Overview
Helping you to use your Fapas account and the best ways to search the Fapas website.
Proficiency Testing - Sample Stability
The homogeneity of sample’s comparison is very significant. It’s critical for laboratory comparison and for laboratory proficiency testing. We guarantee that the unsatisfactory results in proficiency testing will not impute to the changeability among the samples and the sample itself.
Use of Blank Materials
Blank materials are ideal to ensure effective calibration curves are created. Blank materials from Fapas make use of real food matrices to provide the key insights into your routine testing abilities you require. These can be used to maintain the level of accuracy required to satisfy both your customers and regulators of your testing capabilities.
Quality of Data Analysis
For nearly 30 years, Fapas consultants have provided world class time-proven data-driven process improvements or processes to companies leading to high performance.
Interpretation of Assessments
Each year, Fera issues thousands of Fapas Proficiency Test certificates and produces hundreds of PT reports, which participants use to determine their laboratory practices to improve the quality of analytical data. PT reports capture detailed statistical method information to identify trends in analyses, which can lead to standards being withdrawn.
Method Dependency
The statistical analysis and performance assessments are entirely in the hands of the PT provider and the participants receive their z-score1 (or other assessment). There is no attribution to an individual or (usually) method parameter, the statistics are robust due to a large dataset and objective criteria. The PT (proficiency testing) results can be used to support accreditation but it is only a single instance of QC. Long term trends must be built up over many more similar PTs, possibly over a period of several years.
Quality Control & Reference Materials
Reference Materials (RMs) have a much higher degree of characterisation than PT or QC materials with a defined chain of traceability. RMs undergo formal stability testing for both short-term and long-term applications. RMs have an associated datasheet which lists the reference values and their expanded uncertainty U.