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1. Publication of IAJapan Proficiency Testing
IAJapan carries out laboratory accreditation programs according to procedures
and organization based on ISO/IEC 17011. According to this International
Standard, IAJapan requires its applicant and accredited laboratories to
participate in proficiency testing. For this purpose, IAJapan announces
the annual plan of proficiency testing programs that are conducted by IAJapan
or recognised providers by IAJapan as competenct for IAJapan accreditation
programs.
Proficiency testing programs are to be carried out periodically to supplement technical on-site assessment and confirm maintaining of technical competence of accredited laboratories. Accredited laboratories under JCSS, JNLA and ASNITE programs shall participate in proficiency testing on those major accredited sub-fields at least once every four years.
Participation fees for proficiency testing programs that are operated by
IAJapan depend on individual proficiency testing program. Please refer
to IAJapan. For the programs operated by the other organisations, please
refer to the organisation in question.
"under coordination" in IAJapan Proficiency Testing Program Plan
will be renewed as soon as details are decided.
For more information, please contact below.
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International Accreditation Japan (IAJapan)
National Institute of Technology and Evaluation (NITE)
TEL: 81-3-3481-1939
FAX: 81-3-3481-1937
E-mail: iajapan@nite.go.jp
2. Use of results of proficiency testing programs by IAJapan
(1)Classification of proficiency testing programs
A: Proficiency testing/interlaboratory comparison programs performed by international bodies such as APLAC or those performed/approved by signatory bodies of ILACMRA or APLAC MRA
B: Proficiency programs planned for the accreditation programs of IAJapan, and performed by IAJapan or outsourced (subcontracted) to external bodies
C: Proficiency testing programs performed by external proficiency testing providers and approved by IAJapan
D: Measurement audit performed by National Metrology Institute of Japan of National Institute (NMIJ) of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)，Japan Electric Meters Inspection Corporation and JCSS designated calibration laboratories
Signatory bodies of ILAC/APLAC MRA include accreditation bodies signed on MRA within accreditation schemes for calibration laboratory only, within accreditation schemes for testing laboratory only, and within both accreditation schemes for testing and calibration laboratories.
IAJapan uses the proficiency testing performed or approved by accreditation bodies signed within the accreditation schemes for calibration laboratories for JCSS, ASNITE(calibration laboratories and reference material producers), and those by ABs signed on MRA within the accreditation schemes for testing laboratories for JNLA and ASNITE testing, out of MRA signatory bodies.
(2)Treatment of results of proficiency testing in accreditation process
IAJapan uses result of proficiency testing program as a part of technical evaluation of laboratory in its accreditation process.
The result of proficiency testing program is taken into account together
with the result of its corrective action in assessment/surveillance visit
and used as a considerable element for decision making on accreditation.
However, a result of proficiency testing program itself will not directly
affect the decision on accreditation or continuation of accreditation because
of consideration of its contingency.
(3) Participants of IAJapan proficiency testing programs
IAJapan carries out proficiency testing programs for applicant and accredited
laboratories. Laboratories who plan to apply and other laboratories can
also participate in IAJapan proficiency testing program if they have experience
to carried out equivalent or similar testing/calibration to that of relevant
proficiency testing program. Please confirm condition on participation
in individual program.
(4) Direction for laboratories of participation in proficiency testing program
(a) IAJapan requires applicant laboratory to participate in at least one of proficiency testing programs in its applying accreditation scope and get satisfactory result before accreditation.
(b) IAJapan also requires accredited laboratory to participate in proficiency
testing program carried out by IAJapan/recognised by IAJapan at least once
every four years, and get satisfactory result. Accredited laboratory shall
participate in the proficiency testing program at the request of IAJapan.
NOTE: "participate in proficiency testing program and get satisfactory
result" means that the result of proficiency testing program indicates
good result and, if the result indicates unsatisfactory, appropriate technical
competence of the laboratory is confirmed by objective evidence through
investigation of cause and corrective actions.
IAJapan considers the performacnesof an accredited laboratory in the series
of proficiency testing programs consectively conducted (e.g. the case where
a laboratory have unsatisfactory results in several consecutive proficiency
testing programs).
When applicant laboratory have no experience to participate in proficiency
testing program and a relevance proficiency testong program is not available
at the time of application, IAJapan carries out measurement audits in conjunction
with on-site assessment/surveillance visit. IAJapan also requires laboratory
to get satisfactory result in the measurement audit. Same conditions with
the above (a) and (b) are applied to the measurement audit.
(5) Investigation of cause
If the result of proficiency testing program is "doubt" or "unsatisfactory",
applicant/accredited laboratory is required to verify teh results of relevant
test/calibration, investigate the cause, carry out corrective action, where
necessary, and repot them to IAJapan. In addition to the above, applicant/accredited
laboratory may be required to participate in another proficiency testing
program and demonstrate its appropriateness of technical competence through
getting satisfactory result of such proficiency testing program when IAJapan
requires.
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