Scope

American National Standards Institute Inc.

1.1 While there are a number of uses for interlaboratory tests, and variations in their design and implementation, it is still possible to specify the essential principles that need to be considered when organizing such tests. Part A of this guide defines those principles and describes the factors that should be taken into account in the organization and conduct of proficiency testing programs.

1.2 This guide also covers how laboratory accrediting bodies, which assess technical competence of testing laboratories, should select and use proficiency testing programs (refer to Part B).

1.3 Part A of the guide is intended for use by various parties, such as accrediting bodies, regulatory authorities and clients of laboratory services which have a need to assess the technical competence of laboratories. It is also useful for laboratories in self-evaluation, but recognizes that proficiency testing is only one mechanism that can contribute to establishing equivalent confidence among users of different testing laboratories.

1.4 It is currently a condition of some accreditation bodies that laboratories participate regularly in “approved” proficiency testing programs. Therefore, it is essential that program operators comply with principles for conduct of professionally managed proficiency programs, both in terms of technical requirements and quality management (see Annex A1 and Annex A2).

1.5 The methods of operation within different proficiency testing organizations are not expected to be identical and this guide does not give specific operational details for interlaboratory test comparisons. It does, however, cover both measurement comparison and testing programs in which large numbers of laboratories (over 20) or small groups of laboratories (1 to 20) are tested. Therefore, the contents of this guide are intended only as a framework to be modified appropriately for particular situations.

1.6 A list of some relevant references is given in Appendix X1.

Go to ASTM E1301 at ASTM.org

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1375 - Demolition Materials (549) 1377 - Cartridge and Propellant Actuated Devices and Components (524) 4720 - Hose and Flexible Tubing (552) 4730 - Hose, Pipe, Tube, Lubrication, and Railing Fittings (1823) 5120 - Hand Tools, Nonedged, Nonpowered (1124) 5305 - Screws (781) 5306 - Bolts (996) 5310 - Nuts and Washers (864) 5330 - Packing and Gasket Materials (583) 5340 - Hardware, Commercial (953) 5905 - Resistor (753) 5910 - Capacitors (783) 5930 - Switches (1012) 5935 - Connectors, Electrical (4357) 5940 - Lugs, Terminals, and Terminal Strips (564) 5945 - Relays and Solenoids (733) 5950 - Coils and Transformers (856) 5960 - Electron Tubes and Associated Hardware (1630) 5961 - Semiconductor Devices and Associated Hardware (707) 6145 - Wire and Cable, Electrical (1629) 6240 - Electric Lamps (662) 6505 - Drugs and Biologicals (1343) 6515 - Medical and Surgical Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies (1907) 6520 - Dental Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies (790) 6530 - Hospital Furniture, Equipment, Utensils, and Supplies (745) 6610 - Flight Instruments (540) 6625 - Electrical and Electronic Properties Measuring and Testing Instruments (1241) 6640 - Laboratory Equipment and Supplies (1187) 6810 - Chemicals (1114) 8010 - Paints, Dopes, Varnishes, and Related Products (2046) 8030 - Preservative and Sealing Compounds (554) 8140 - Ammunition and Nuclear Ordnance Boxes, Packages and Special Containers (797) 8305 - Textile Fabrics (910) 8415 - Clothing, Special Purpose (660) 8455 - Badges and Insignia (3093) 8915 - Fruits and Vegetables (531) 9330 - Plastics Fabricated Materials (759) FACR (1647) ISDA (1776) ISDD (786) ISDF (1827) ISDN (581) MISC (1045) PACK (539) SESS (581)
Aerospace Material (225) Aircraft Air Conditioning, Heating, and Pressurizing Equipment (334) Aircraft Hydraulic, Vacuum, and De-icing System Components (263) Ammunition, 75mm through 125mm (192) Ammunition, over 30mm up to 75mm (208) Ammunition, through 30mm (349) Analytical Chemistry (180) Bombs (192) Building (414) Bulk Explosives (261) Cartridge and Propellant Actuated Devices and Components (524) Consumer Product Evaluation (267) Copper (192) Demolition Materials (549) Electrical and Magnetic Conductor (162) Electronics (153) Environmental Toxicology (187) Fire Control Computing Sights and Devices (338) Fire Control Radar Equipment, except Airborne (197) Fuzes and Primers (454) Geotechnical Engineering (217) GUN (640) Land Mines (276) Medical Device and Implant (427) Military Chemical Agents (156) Miscellaneous Aircraft Accessories and Components (231) Miscellaneous Fire Control Equipment (216) Nondestructive Testing (246) Nonferrous Metal and Nonferrous Alloy (367) Nuclear Technology (274) Optical Sighting and Ranging Equipment (451) Paint and Related Coating (456) Parachutes; Aerial Pick Up, Delivery, Recovery Systems; and Cargo Tie Down Equipment (324) Petroleum (378) Plastic Pipe (248) Pyrotechnics (175) Road and Paving (177) Rockets, Rocket Ammunition and Rocket Components (368) Rubber (166) Security System Pedestrian and Walkway Safety (157) Specialized Test and Handling Equipment, Nuclear Ordnance (150) Sports and Recreation (316) Steel (908) Torpedos and Components, Inert (258) (621)