Proficiency Tests

Worldwide Open Proficiency Tests for Nuclear and Related Analytical Techniques Laboratories

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assists its Member State laboratories to maintain their capabilities and services by producing reference materials, developing standardized analytical methods, and conducting inter-laboratory comparisons and proficiency tests as tools for quality assurance and quality control of analytical results. To fulfil this obligation and ensure a reliable, rapid and consistent response, the IAEA Nuclear Science and Instrumentation Laboratory (NSIL), as part of the IAEA’s Physics Section and located in Seibersdorf, organizes and coordinates periodic proficiency tests for laboratories using nuclear and related analytical techniques.

The NSIL proficiency tests are carried out within the IAEA projects on Nuclear Instrumentation and Research Reactor Utilization, both under the Nuclear Science Programme. These projects aim, among other objectives, to enhance the analytical capabilities of interested Member States and employ them in the areas such as fundamental research, industry, human health, agriculture, environment, cultural heritage, forensics and some others.

Since 2002, 194 laboratories from 81 countries have participated in the PTs. The geographical outreach of our PT can be viewed in this Map of PT participants.

Participating in periodic proficiency tests is one of the most effective ways for a laboratory to monitor and assess its analytical performance. This practice can be used to identify the results with unsuspected bias and to improve the quality of the analytical services provided. The NSIL proficiency tests are designed to identify analytical challenges or problems, to support IAEA Member States laboratories to improve the quality of their analytical results, to pursue/maintain, when applicable, their accreditation and to provide a regular forum for discussion and share of experience in this technical area. The type of samples, matrices and the concentration levels of the elements are selected after identifying the current needs in the IAEA Member States through extensive questionnaire prior to the proficiency tests.

Only laboratories registered in our database can take part in the exercises. In order to be added to the database, please send an email to support@pt-nsil.com or to A.Migliori@iaea.org.

The testing samples are shipped at no cost to the laboratories that accept the invitation and commit to the proficiency test. A time frame of typically three months is granted to perform the analysis, then results are uploaded by participants directly on this website (www.pt-nsil.com). A preliminary evaluation of the results submitted by a laboratory is automatically generated for download upon the deadline for submission of results. The final report becomes available for downloading from the same website at the end of each proficiency test round.

Introductory Video: view or download