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Accreditation and Quality Assurance: Journal for Quality, Comparability and Reliability in Chemical Measurement (v.3, #7)
The joint EAL-EUROLAB workshop on "Improving cost effectiveness in the assessment of laboratories" in co-operation with EURACHEM
by Magnus Holmgren (pp. 269-269).
Traceable measurements in clinical laboratories by M. Buzoianu; H. Y. Aboul-Enein (pp. 270-277).
Reliable, traceable and comparable measurements provide the rational basis for evaluation of the quality of a result and the starting point for recognized laboratory accreditation in any national area. Modern medical diagnostics and treatment involve rapidly rising numbers and types of clinical laboratory measurements, that are reliable. Therefore, the basic principles to be followed to assure the traceability of clinical measurements as required by the Romanian Laws of Metrology are reviewed. Main sources affecting the quality of the unbroken chain of calibrations that relate the measurements back to appropriate measurement standards are discussed. Examples of how to achieve traceable measurements in clinical laboratories are presented. Details of specific uses of reference materials, measuring instruments and standard measurement methods are also discussed.
Keywords: Key words Traceability; Quality; Measurement uncertainty; Clinical reference materials; Clinical photometric system
An accredited laboratory's view of customer expectations by K. J. Albutt (pp. 279-280).
Accredited laboratories are the accreditation bodies customers – all other interested parties are stakeholders. The ultimate consumer expects his product to be safe, reliable and good value for money. All other expectations in the supply chain relate to the consumer's expectations.
Keywords: Key words Accreditation; Laboratory; Consumer; Customer; Stakeholder
Will accreditors ever be able to satisfy the expectations of their customers? by H. Ots (pp. 280-281).
Accreditors and their customers both have a role to play in the conformity assessment activities in the market place. In order to be able to cooperate better, both parties need to learn more about the conditions and particularities of each other's work. Three surveys that have recently been carried out by accreditors all focus on issues that need to be addressed in order to reach a more mature relationship between the two parties involved.
Keywords: Key words Accreditor; Satisfaction; Customer; Survey
Relevant elements of laboratory competence by Hans Olav Folke Andersson (pp. 281-283).
The staff of a laboratory, and its pre-conditions in terms of management principles and work procedures, constitute the basis for customer satisfaction including the quality of the results. It is argued here that there is a rather limited core of principles and procedures, the relevant elements of which are essential for "laboratory competence". These elements are treated as part of the requirements in international quality standards, in particular the draft revision of the ISO/IEC-Guide 25. It is suggested that it should be possible to structure them in a more flexible way and to integrate the elements into the ordinary management system of a laboratory.
Keywords: Key words Management system; Customer satisfaction; Accreditation
Laboratories and the use of analysis results by Jean-André Bouchand; J.-B. Bourguignon (pp. 283-285).
Laboratories are facing problems arising from use of the analysis results they provide. Laboratory accreditation and quality assurance constitute a valuable and indispensable contribution, but are insufficient to ensure total confidence in marketed products. Legal experts can still find telling arguments to challenge analysis results, if only by tendentiously exploiting the uncertainty inherent in those results or the limitations of the state of the art. Some proposals discussed in this paper would enable the level of confidence to be improved markedly.
Controlling the quality of testing by J. Forstén (pp. 285-288).
This article mainly focuses on the testing of products, materials, etc., but the general principles are applicable in a broader perspective. Quality of testing should be judged based on fitness for purpose. This judgement includes both objective and subjective elements. The possibility to make decisions and other professional judgements based on test results alone is discussed and compared with the decisions and judgements being made through the certification and inspection process. Quality, including the uncertainty of the test results, depends on many factors, and in order to make necessary improvements in the testing procedures based on the customers' needs, the right issues should be addressed. The question arises as to whether, in laboratories' quality systems and in the accreditation and certification process, attention is really paid to those factors that are crucial to obtaining reliable results.
Keywords: Key words Testing; Quality improvement; Conformity assessment; Uncertainty
The effective and efficient assessment of competence of testing laboratories applying for accreditation
by H. Ischi (pp. 288-290).
EAL interlaboratory comparisons: a prerequisite for establishing mutual recognition agreements between accreditation bodies
by Klaus Brinkmann (pp. 292-294).
Accreditation of types of tests by A. Steinhorst (pp. 294-295).
DACH, the German accreditation body of chemistry, which was founded in 1992, has introduced a new model for the flexibilization of the scope of accreditation. This ensures that the accreditation of a laboratory also guarantees flexibility. Flexibilization of the scope of accreditation is of great importance, in particular if a great number of similar routine tests (standard methods) or non-routine tests are to be accredited. The main tool of flexibilization is the accreditation of types of tests. The accreditation of types of tests entitles laboratories to include additional test methods within the type of test accredited without informing the accreditation body immediately. Such information is provided at fixed surveillance intervals. The conditions for the accreditation of types of tests are described below.
Keywords: Key words Accreditation; Types of tests; Validation
The role of Nordtest in testing and quality assurance by Göran Lindholm (pp. 296-297).
This article describes on the idea behind Nordtest, the results of its activities and how Nordtest has influenced testing and quality assurance. By financing projects in the field of technical testing Nordtest has been able to utilise the best available Nordic knowledge and resources to respond to Nordic needs and has gained acceptance in all Nordic countries. During Nordtest's 25 years of operation its projects have resulted in over 500 test methods and over 350 technical reports that are widely used both within and outside the Nordic countries. Examples of some project results are given. Important issues in testing and quality assurance are expressed in Nordtest position papers. Nordtest's active participation in the European and global co-operation in testing and quality assurance is also described.
Keywords: Key words Testing; Quality assurance; Test methods; Nordic co-operation