RPF Laboratory RPF Laboratory Accreditation/Verification Task Accreditation/Verification Task

GroupGroup

RPF meetingRPF meeting

13/14 November 200213/14 November 2002

RPF ResolutionRPF Resolution((Roodevallei, November 2001)Roodevallei, November 2001)

That inter-laboratory testing be conducted That inter-laboratory testing be conducted on an ongoing basis under the guidance of on an ongoing basis under the guidance of

a Task Group to be convened by the a Task Group to be convened by the Asphalt AcademyAsphalt Academy

Role of Task GroupRole of Task Group

To coordinate the accreditation, To coordinate the accreditation, verification and proficiency activities of verification and proficiency activities of materials testing laboratories with the materials testing laboratories with the ultimate aim of improving confidence ultimate aim of improving confidence levels in test results emanating from the levels in test results emanating from the laboratorieslaboratories

ProblemProblem

Lack of confidence in results from laboratoriesLack of confidence in results from laboratories Clients insisting on Laboratory AccreditationClients insisting on Laboratory Accreditation SANAS regulations require laboratories “SANAS regulations require laboratories “to assure to assure

the accurate, reliable and prompt reporting of test the accurate, reliable and prompt reporting of test results and assure the adequacy and competency results and assure the adequacy and competency of the lab staff” of the lab staff” (Proficiency Scheme)(Proficiency Scheme)

No Proficiency Schemes established in line with No Proficiency Schemes established in line with ISO 43 to assess whether laboratory tests are ISO 43 to assess whether laboratory tests are being performed properly (some inter-laboratory being performed properly (some inter-laboratory schemes are in the process of being established)schemes are in the process of being established)

Proficiency v Lab ComparisonsProficiency v Lab Comparisons

ProficiencyProficiency Quality assurance according Quality assurance according

to national/international to national/international standards (ISO 43)standards (ISO 43)

Well design and structured Well design and structured proceduresprocedures

Complete structure with a Complete structure with a coordinating bodycoordinating body

Comprehensive procedures Comprehensive procedures and guidelines and manual and guidelines and manual availableavailable

Lab ComparisonsLab Comparisons Undefined and unstructured Undefined and unstructured

set of operationsset of operations Various standards are Various standards are

normally appliednormally applied Not validated according to Not validated according to

international requirementsinternational requirements Norms are generally based Norms are generally based

on actual correlation data on actual correlation data not on a pre-determined not on a pre-determined accepted valueaccepted value

Proficiency Scheme ActionsProficiency Scheme Actions

Establish a sub-committee to investigate Establish a sub-committee to investigate appropriate proficiency schemes;appropriate proficiency schemes;

Create a prioritisation framework for test Create a prioritisation framework for test methods required to undergo proficiency testing;methods required to undergo proficiency testing;

Prioritise test methods for proficiency testing;Prioritise test methods for proficiency testing; Develop Guidelines on proficiency scheme for Develop Guidelines on proficiency scheme for

the road sector in line with ISO 43;the road sector in line with ISO 43; Establish a coordinating structure;Establish a coordinating structure; Identify potential service providers to manage Identify potential service providers to manage

the scheme;the scheme; Identify and motivate funding to implement the Identify and motivate funding to implement the

schemescheme

Proposed Structure for a National Proposed Structure for a National Proficiency SchemeProficiency Scheme

SANAS(Specialist Testing

Committee)

National Coordinating Body

(NPSRA)Proficiency Scheme Management

Sampling plans and procedures

Validation of test methods

Statistical evaluation of results

Reporting and Certification

Accredited reference Laboratories

Laboratory 1 Laboratory nLaboratory 2

MTC

Task GroupTask GroupRecommendationsRecommendations

A National Proficiency Scheme should be A National Proficiency Scheme should be established for the road sector in support of the established for the road sector in support of the accreditation processaccreditation process

Controlled by a National Coordinating Body Controlled by a National Coordinating Body (National Proficiency Assessment Services for (National Proficiency Assessment Services for Roads, NPASR)Roads, NPASR)

Run on a regional basisRun on a regional basis Independent service provider(s) needed to run the Independent service provider(s) needed to run the

scheme and responsible to NPASRscheme and responsible to NPASR Process has the support of SANASProcess has the support of SANAS

Funding ImplicationsFunding Implications

Upfront funding required to set up the Upfront funding required to set up the procedures, documentation and management procedures, documentation and management structures (including a national database)structures (including a national database)

Meeting required of potential funders for further Meeting required of potential funders for further discussionsdiscussions

Scheme would ultimately be self-supporting Scheme would ultimately be self-supporting through the participating laboratoriesthrough the participating laboratories

Each test would have a proficiency requirement Each test would have a proficiency requirement and charged per testand charged per test

Future Role of Task Group?Future Role of Task Group?

Organisation of meeting with potential Organisation of meeting with potential funders for detailed discussionsfunders for detailed discussions

Task Group v NPASR and representationTask Group v NPASR and representation