Who it is for
- ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories
- Laboratories seeking accreditation
- Asbestos, man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) and soil testing laboratories
- Laboratories using SEM / EDX
Proficiency testing
Proficiency testing for asbestos, man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) and soils
Organisation of proficiency testing schemes for laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 or seeking accreditation.
Current programme
Reliability, competence and comparability of results
Microanalitica organises proficiency testing schemes (PT / ILC) for laboratories working in asbestos, man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) and soils, in conformity with ISO/IEC 17043.
A structured proficiency testing service
Microanalitica organises and coordinates proficiency testing schemes (PT / ILC) in accordance with ISO/IEC 17043, with a strong focus on data quality, result comparability and interpretative support for participating laboratories.
When to participate
- Audit, surveillance or reaccreditation
- Verification of technical competence
- Monitoring data reliability
Upcoming deadlines
Registration deadlines for upcoming proficiency testing schemes.
Man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) — Alkali and alkaline-earth oxides
MMMF_01
Asbestos dispersed in water
WATER_01
Proficiency testing programme
Choose a proficiency testing scheme by material and measurement. Each scheme page provides the test item, instructions, assessment criteria, dates and online registration.
ISO/IEC 17043 conformity
Microanalitica srl organises proficiency testing schemes in conformity with ISO/IEC 17043:2023.
Asbestos proficiency testing PT Asbestos
Compare asbestos analysis results in soil, water and airborne-fibre test items using SEM/EDX. Select the scheme matching your laboratory activities.
Frequency: annual · generally scheduled in the same period each year.
| Sample | Proficiency test | Registration deadline | Scheme code | Price per sample | Scheme details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soil | Asbestos (quantitative) by SEM/EDX | 30/04/2027 | SOIL_01 round 12 | €250.00VAT excluded · Shipping included 1 campione: 250,00 € 2 campioni: 375,00 € 3 campioni: 500,00 € 2° e 3° campione: −50%. 2 o 3 campioni solo per qualificare più operatori o confrontarne le prestazioni.1 sample: €250.00 2 samples: €375.00 3 samples: €500.00 2nd and 3rd sample: −50%. 2 or 3 samples only to qualify multiple operators or compare their performance.CondizioniConditions | Go | |
| Polycarbonate filter | Airborne asbestos by SEM/EDX | 31/05/2027 | AIR_02 round 12 | €250.00VAT excluded · Shipping included 1 campione: 250,00 € 2 campioni: 375,00 € 3 campioni: 500,00 € 2° e 3° campione: −50%. 2 o 3 campioni solo per qualificare più operatori o confrontarne le prestazioni.1 sample: €250.00 2 samples: €375.00 3 samples: €500.00 2nd and 3rd sample: −50%. 2 or 3 samples only to qualify multiple operators or compare their performance.CondizioniConditions | Go | |
| Polycarbonate filter | Asbestos in water | 29/10/2026 | WATER_01 round 6 | €250.00VAT excluded · Shipping included 1 campione: 250,00 € 2 campioni: 375,00 € 3 campioni: 500,00 € 2° e 3° campione: −50%. 2 o 3 campioni solo per qualificare più operatori o confrontarne le prestazioni.1 sample: €250.00 2 samples: €375.00 3 samples: €500.00 2nd and 3rd sample: −50%. 2 or 3 samples only to qualify multiple operators or compare their performance.CondizioniConditions | Go | |
Man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) proficiency testing PT Man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF)
Proficiency testing for analytical competence on man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) (dimensional and/or compositional measurements).
Frequency: annual · generally scheduled in the same period each year.
| Sample | Proficiency test | Registration deadline | Scheme code | Price per sample | Scheme details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) | Diameter (LWGMD-2SE*) | 31/03/2027 | MMMF_02 round 8 | €250.00VAT excluded · Shipping included 1 campione: 250,00 € 2 campioni: 375,00 € 3 campioni: 500,00 € 2° e 3° campione: −50%. 2 o 3 campioni solo per qualificare più operatori o confrontarne le prestazioni.1 sample: €250.00 2 samples: €375.00 3 samples: €500.00 2nd and 3rd sample: −50%. 2 or 3 samples only to qualify multiple operators or compare their performance.CondizioniConditions | Go | |
| Man-made vitreous fibres (MMVF) | Content of alkali and alkaline-earth oxides | 30/09/2026 | MMMF_01 round 7 | €250.00VAT excluded · Shipping included 1 campione: 250,00 € 2 campioni: 375,00 € 3 campioni: 500,00 € 2° e 3° campione: −50%. 2 o 3 campioni solo per qualificare più operatori o confrontarne le prestazioni.1 sample: €250.00 2 samples: €375.00 3 samples: €500.00 2nd and 3rd sample: −50%. 2 or 3 samples only to qualify multiple operators or compare their performance.CondizioniConditions | Go | |
Soil sieving proficiency testing PT Soils
PT scheme on soil matrices to assess comparability of granulometric determinations.
Frequency: annual · generally scheduled in the same period each year.
| Sample | Proficiency test | Registration deadline | Scheme code | Price per sample | Scheme details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soil | Coarse fraction (2 mm sieving) | 26/02/2027 | SETA_01 round 6 | €250.00VAT excluded · Shipping included 1 campione: 250,00 € 2 campioni: 375,00 € 3 campioni: 500,00 € 2° e 3° campione: −50%. 2 o 3 campioni solo per qualificare più operatori o confrontarne le prestazioni.1 sample: €250.00 2 samples: €375.00 3 samples: €500.00 2nd and 3rd sample: −50%. 2 or 3 samples only to qualify multiple operators or compare their performance.CondizioniConditions | Go | |
Nel caso di più campioni PT o di un precedente PT con esito sospetto o non soddisfacenteWhen requesting multiple PT samples or repeating a previous PT with a questionable or unsatisfactory result
Quota di listino: 250,00 € per campione, IVA esclusa e spedizione inclusa.List price: €250.00 per sample, VAT excluded and shipping included.
Sconto 50%50% off
Nel caso di 2 o 3 campioni per qualificare più operatori o confrontarne le prestazioniWhen requesting 2 or 3 samples to qualify multiple operators or compare their performance
Per qualificare più operatori o confrontarne le prestazioni, puoi richiedere 2 o 3 campioni distinti dello stesso set di prova, schema PT e ciclo, nella stessa iscrizione. Il secondo e il terzo hanno ciascuno il 50% di sconto sulla tariffa applicata al laboratorio, a condizione che i risultati provengano dalla stessa sede operativa.To qualify multiple operators or compare their performance, you may request 2 or 3 separate samples from the same test set, PT scheme and cycle in one registration. The second and third each receive 50% off the rate applied to the laboratory, provided that the results come from the same operating site.
Ogni campione riceve un codice partecipante distinto. Solo il primo risultato entra nella media robusta, per evitare un peso eccessivo di un solo laboratorio sul valore assegnato. Non si selezionano set o circuiti differenti.Each sample receives a separate participant code. Only the first result enters the robust mean, to prevent one laboratory from having excessive weight in the assigned value. Different test sets or rounds are not selected.
Con tariffa di listino: primo campione 250,00 €; secondo e terzo 125,00 € ciascuno.
2 campioni: 375,00 € · 3 campioni: 500,00 €.
IVA esclusa, spedizione inclusa.At the list rate: first sample €250.00; second and third €125.00 each.
2 samples: €375.00 · 3 samples: €500.00.
VAT excluded, shipping included.
Sconto 30%30% off
Nel caso di una prova precedente con esito sospetto o non soddisfacenteWhen a previous test had a questionable or unsatisfactory result
Se hai eseguito un PT con esito sospetto o non soddisfacente e vuoi ripetere la prova, puoi richiedere un CST dello stesso schema e per la stessa sede operativa, su un campione proveniente da un altro circuito.If you took a PT with a questionable or unsatisfactory result and wish to repeat the test, you may request a CST of the same scheme and for the same operating site, using a sample from a different round.
Iscrivendoti entro 30 giorni dall’emissione del rapporto PT, usufruisci del 30% di sconto sul listino. Dopo eventuali approfondimenti e azioni correttive, la nuova prova permette di verificare nuovamente la prestazione.By registering within 30 days of issue of the PT report, you receive 30% off the list price. Following any investigation and corrective actions, the new test allows you to assess your performance again.
Quota scontata: 175,00 € per campione.
IVA esclusa, spedizione inclusa.Discounted price: €175.00 per sample.
VAT excluded, shipping included.
Seleziona 2 o 3 campioni solo per qualificare più operatori o confrontarne le prestazioni, nei casi e alle condizioni descritti nel riquadro dedicato.Select 2 or 3 samples only to qualify multiple operators or compare their performance, in the cases and under the conditions described in the dedicated box.
Le due agevolazioni sono alternative e non si sommano. Il totale viene verificato nell’Area clienti prima della conferma.The two offers are alternatives and cannot be combined. The total is checked in the Customer Area before confirmation.
Register for a Check Sample TestHow to read the PT evaluation
These indicators help interpret the laboratory result and the reliability of the comparison.
zₚ score: asymmetric limits
zₚ is the score adopted by Microanalitica for assessments with asymmetric limits, meaning different distances above and below the assigned value. It uses Poisson-type limits at 95% and 99.73%, widened to account for overdispersion. It is distinct from z′.
zₚ is zero at the assigned value, negative for lower results and positive for higher results.
|zₚ| ≤ 2: satisfactory; 2 < |zₚ| < 3: questionable (warning); |zₚ| ≥ 3: unsatisfactory (action).
How zₚ is calculated
To recalculate zₚ, use your result, the assigned value and the limits stated in the report. Small differences may arise from rounding of the published values.
L₂ and U₂ are the warning limits (−2 and +2); L₃ and U₃ are the action limits (−3 and +3). The score varies linearly between these reference points and continues beyond ±3.
xᵢ < L₂: zₚ = −2 − (L₂ − xᵢ)/(L₂ − L₃)
L₂ ≤ xᵢ < xₚₜ: zₚ = 2(xᵢ − xₚₜ)/(xₚₜ − L₂)
xₚₜ ≤ xᵢ ≤ U₂: zₚ = 2(xᵢ − xₚₜ)/(U₂ − xₚₜ)
xᵢ > U₂: zₚ = 2 + (xᵢ − U₂)/(U₃ − U₂)
L₂ ≤ xᵢ < xₚₜ: zₚ = 2(xᵢ − xₚₜ)/(xₚₜ − L₂)
xₚₜ ≤ xᵢ ≤ U₂: zₚ = 2(xᵢ − xₚₜ)/(U₂ − xₚₜ)
xᵢ > U₂: zₚ = 2 + (xᵢ − U₂)/(U₃ − U₂)
Microanalitica adopts the overdispersion factors f₂ = 0.2·xₚₜ^0.14 and f₃ = 0.2·xₚₜ^0.19, with xₚₜ expressed in fibres/mm². The Poisson-type limits are widened by subtracting xₚₜ·f from the lower limit and adding it to the upper limit.
Assigned value xₚₜ
This is the value against which participant results are compared. Microanalitica derives it from the set of results using a robust mean, which limits the influence of extreme values. It is the statistical reference for that specific round.
z score
z = (xi − xpt) / σpt
It shows how far the laboratory result is from the assigned value, in units of the standard deviation for proficiency assessment. Generally: |z| ≤ 2 satisfactory; 2 < |z| < 3 warning signal; |z| ≥ 3 unsatisfactory and requiring action.
z′ score and uncertainty u(xₚₜ)
z′ = (xi − xpt) / √(σpt2 + u2(xpt))
The uncertainty u(xₚₜ) expresses the precision of the assigned-value estimate. It helps assess its reliability and avoids penalising a laboratory because of uncertainty in the statistical reference. When this uncertainty is not negligible compared with σₚₜ, z′ may be used because it includes that uncertainty in the calculation.
PT item and quality control
A PT item must not be regarded as a certified reference material: its assigned value is intended for evaluation within the PT round and does not, by itself, constitute metrological certification. It does not have a certificate, a statement of metrological traceability or qualification for a specific reference use. If enough material remains, it is stored correctly and is stable for the intended period, it may nevertheless be used for internal quality control, for example in control charts, repeatability or trend checks and training, using internally defined criteria.
xᵢ = participant result; xₚₜ = assigned value; σₚₜ = standard deviation for proficiency assessment; u(xₚₜ) = standard uncertainty of the assigned value.
In a hurry or missed the deadline?
If you missed the enrolment deadline for proficiency testing or you need results quickly, you can use our Check Sample Test service, with sample submission and a rapid report.
Sample shipment: free of charge.
* The indicated dates may be shifted by ± 5 days.
Prices are given excluding VAT.
* LWGMD-2SE: Geometric mean diameter weighted by length (−2 standard errors).