Page 68 - FoodFocusThailand No.187 October 2021

STRONG QC & QA

Testing laboratories that operate systematically and standardized will The selection of PT Providers for Participation Criteria
instill confidence for clients that the test results are accurate. These test 1. Shall be the recognition PT providers in the international, national,
results can guarantee the quality assurance and quality control of food or group of related experts
produced to increase reliability and acceptance internationally. 2. Accessing the website at https://blqs.dmsc.moph.go.th/ to find PT
ISO/IEC 17025 is a widely accepted international standard of the providers sources, and other websites of PT providers schemes in
laboratory as the general requirement for the competence of testing and medical and public health testing laboratories
calibration laboratories. In addition to the management and technical 3. Laboratory shall establish a plan for participation in PT schemes
requirements, the risk assessment, and testing activities opportunities that covers the scope of their accreditation
were added in Version 2017. This standardization system will help test
results be more accurate and academically accepted. The laboratory is PT Frequencies Participation, Interlaboratory
upgrading to the next level to control the affected factors and develop Comparison, and Laboratory’s Performance
knowledgeable personnel appropriately. Assessment Criteria
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard system requires testing laboratories 1. Frequencies participation in PT schemes must comply with the
to comply with a quality assurance system for test results to ensure scheduled period of the PT provider or at least once a year. The laboratory
reliability. Therefore, it plays a vital role in testing laboratories to confirm shall ensure to demonstrate the performance evidence for on-site
and increase the credibility of the test results. Internal quality controls are surveillance and re-assessment.
defined differently for each testing method. External quality controls by 2. Frequencies participation in interlaboratory comparison and the
Interlaboratory comparison or proficiency testing activities are additionally laboratory’s performance assessment must be at least once a year. The
required in ISO/IEC 17025:2017. laboratory shall ensure the performance evidence to demonstrate for
Interlaboratory Comparison (ILC) means an organization or laboratory on-site surveillance and re-assessment.
that conducts and evaluates the measurement or test results on identical
or similar samples in testing for at least 2 laboratories. Proficiency Test Result Acceptance Criteria
Proficiency Testing (PT) means the assessment of a laboratory’s Use the z-score statistics defined in ISO/IEC 17043:2010 Annex B:
competency under the established criteria by comparing laboratories’ Statistical methods for proficiency testing (B.4.1.1.C). The z-score values
results, referring to the ISO/IEC 17043:2010 standard system. The ISO/ within the acceptance criteria are as follows;
IEC 17043:2010 is the Conformity assessment - General requirements Absolute z z ≤2 The result is satisfactory and accepted (Satisfactory)
for proficiency testing, management requirements, technical requirements, Absolute z 2 < z < 3, The result is questionable (Questionable)
and statistical evaluation selection guidelines. Absolute z z ≥ 3 Unsatisfactory and unacceptable result
(Unsatisfactory)
Bureau of Laboratory Quality Standards, Department Laboratory proficiency testing activities are an essential component
of Medical Sciences has established policies and of the laboratory quality assurance system. Proficiency testing is a
criteria for Proficiency Testing, Interlaboratory monitored activity and inspected quality of testing, which indicates the
Comparison and Assessment of Test Capability. testing ability and ensures the test results’ accuracy. It requires
1. In case that the PT providers are available. The laboratories shall collaboration among participated laboratories by comparison of test
participate in test parameters or test methods for each discipline that they results based on statistical principles. Participation in a proficiency testing
apply for accreditation. However, the laboratory shall have a mechanism program can be beneficial to identify quality and performance problems
to ensure that the PT test items are assigned among the various analysts in other relevant areas, such as client needs reviewing, transparent
who are well trained and qualified for the relevant tests reporting, correctness test unit, specific-time submission, and personnel
2. In case that the PT providers are not available. The laboratories competence testing. More importantly, the laboratory can utilize the
shall carry out the interlaboratory comparisons by two or more evaluation results for maximum benefit.
laboratories.
3. In case that the PT providers and interlaboratory comparison are
not available. Laboratories shall carry out to compare the test results
using the laboratory’s performance assessment between laboratory More Information Service Info C012
analysts.

Food safety is of the most importance to consumers. Food
manufacturers have realized and given priority to quality control
and assurance no matter the purpose of producing food is for
sale within the country or for exporting to foreign countries.
Quality control must comply with the laws and requirements
of trading partner’s countries and be accepted in the global
market.

How Importance of

Laboratory Proficiency

Testing towards Food Safety

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