Who can participate?

• Laboratories performing analyses within the frames of the schemes and that are using relevant methods.
• Laboratories dealing with microorganisms in hazard group no 1 and 2.
• Laboratories to which consignments will be available in time by use of ordinary mailing facilities or by use of courier paying an extra fee and that are able to report results and pay
• invoices in due time.
• Laboratories that have access to Internet and are prepared to use the website of the program.

Which methods may be used?

Food:

• Methods aimed for the analysis which is performed. The methods should, preferentially, be used as routine methods.

Drinking water:

• Methods aimed for the analysis which is performed, as first choice the ISO and EN methods used within the European Union. Secondarily, other methods based on equivalent principles (membrane filtration, pour plate technique, enzymatic “rapid methosa” etc.)The methods should, preferentially, be used as routine methods.
• Analyses performed by methods suspected to lead systematically to fluctuating results are not guaranteed to be evaluated In that case the laboratory has to compare their results with other laboratories in the final report.

Fee

• An invoice is sent for the testing round(s) the laboratory has registered for.
• The fee has to be paid for the round(s) stated on the invoice within the time period stipulated (normally 30 days after print-out).

Other obligations of participating laboratories

• To visit the program website and actively consider participation in the testing rounds.
• To analyse samples according to instructions within the stated period of time.
• To report results according to given instructions.
• To follow-up of the outcome of the proficiency testing – if required by a third party (e.g. an accreditation body).

Obligations of the National Food Agency

• To keep the laboratory number and password confidential.
• To keep the information on the website up-to-date regarding testing rounds, analyses, dates and prices.
• To insure a safe delivery of the relevant and homogeneous testing material.
• To provide of the original and preliminary processed results on the website within the stated period of time.
• To alerting by e-mail that new preliminary results are available on the website.
• To publish a final report as a pdf-document on the website within the stated period of time.
• To deliver extra test material to laboratories for their own follow-up.
• To keep the accreditation for running the proficiency testing schemes.

Limited responsability

• The organiser has no liability regarding third party claims depending on a laboratory's participation and performance in any of the proficiency testing schemes run by the National Food Agency.