By offering proficiency testing in different laboratory fields, proficiency testing providers support laboratory quality assurance. In proficiency testing, laboratories are compared using the same method and the same samples under predetermined conditions. Typically, proficiency testing resembles the laboratory's routine samples and therefore provides a realistic idea of the laboratory's performance. Proficiency testing providers verify that the samples are sufficiently stable and homogenous to ensure that the assessment of the performance of laboratories is reliable. Statistical methods are taken into account in the processing of the results.
FINAS has two accredited proficiency testing providers as its clients. They offer their services to both Finnish and foreign laboratories.
Further information on international proficiency testing providers is available at www.eptis.bam.de.
Requirements and guidelines (updated 4th of April 2024)
The accreditation requirement for proficiency testing providers is:
SFS-EN ISO/IEC 17043:2010 Conformity assessment – General requirements for proficiency testing
The new version has
been published in 06/2023, but it has not yet been implemented in FINAS. The
transition period is until 06/2026, and FINAS plans to introduce the standard
at the beginning of 2025.
SFS-EN ISO/IEC
17043:2023 Conformity assessment. General requirements for the
competence of proficiency testing providers
Mandatory guidelines relating to accreditation of
Publications of FINAS that support the activity of proficiency testing providers
Accreditation symbol
Accredited bodies are entitled to use the FINAS accreditation symbol, which consists of the FINAS logo, the accredited body's identification number and the accreditation requirement. The FINAS accreditation symbol must be used when the accredited body refers to the accreditation in its reports, for example.
Accredited proficiency testing providers use an identifier in which the identification number of the accredited body is of the format PTXX.
