Interlinkages and recognition of proficiency-testing schemes

 Because proficiency testing (PT) is increasingly used for the accreditation of testing laboratories and as a tool for backing up existing multilateral recognition arrangements between accreditation bodies, the question of performance and comparability of the proficiency-test providers arises. In this paper different approaches to assess the equivalence of European PT schemes and the competence of their providers are presented. As a first step a workshop is proposed to agree on a pilot study. The final aim is to create confidence in the existing PT schemes in Europe and to use them as common European tools.