According to the Bureau of Accreditation (BoA) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, proficiency testing (PT) is one of the essential tools for accreditation bodies, state management agencies, and clients to evaluate the technical competence of testing, analytical, and calibration laboratories. Analyzing proficiency testing results contributes to identifying potential factors that may affect testing quality, thereby allowing the laboratory to propose appropriate corrective or improvement measures. Achieving good results in proficiency testing programs provides independent and objective evidence to demonstrate the accuracy of testing results to clients and interested parties.
Currently, the requirement to participate in proficiency testing is highly emphasized by ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation bodies (General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories) and designated authorities in Vietnam. Many accreditation organizations and all designated authorities require laboratories to participate in proficiency testing and achieve successful results before applying for accreditation.
Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 by the BoA since January 2020, the Central Laboratory of the School of Preventive Medicine and Public Health (SPMPH) continuously participates in surveillance assessments to maintain accreditation, as well as numerous domestic and international proficiency testing/inter-laboratory comparison programs to ensure the quality of its laboratory testing. Most recently, between September and November 2022, the Central Laboratory participated in 4 proficiency testing programs organized by the Vietnam Association of Testing Laboratories (VinaLab), including:
Analysis of Anions in clean water and drinking water – VPT 1.5.22.199
Analysis of clean water and drinking water quality – VPT 1.5.22.196
Microbiological analysis in well water, tap water, and process water – VPT 1.6.22.257
Qualitative analysis of Salmonella in seafood and seafood products – VPT 1.6.22.264
With the achievement of Competence Standards for testing parameters accredited under ISO/IEC 17025:2017, the Central Laboratory is prepared for the upcoming ISO re-assessment after the 3-year cycle on December 15-16, 2022.
Some images of Central Laboratory staff performing proficiency testing samples..jpg)
School of Preventive Medicine and Public Health (SPMPH)
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