EPTIS helps you find a suitable proficiency testing (PT) scheme for your laboratory. For a large number of schemes we have produced data sheets and collected them in the EPTIS database. What is not included in the database is topical information on next PT rounds. When is the next round, and what is the matrix material this time? This information is too dynamic as to be included in the database. But you can find such details for a selection of schemes in our PT calendar.
At present, a listing on the database is only open to PT providers from countries that are covered by our so-called coordinators. They check the plausibility of the data sheet submissions and decide on their publication. They speak the language and are ideally familiar with local PT providers and cultural peculiarities. This helps to safeguard a reasonable level of database quality. There is no cost for PT providers who follow this basic mechanism.
The EPTIS database is a joint publication of a worldwide consortium of organizations. The members of this consortium are all involved in PT in one way or another and play a prominent role in national or international quality infrastructures. There are coordinating members, who play a more active role in EPTIS, and supporting members who provide a more intangible backup. Overall coordinator of EPTIS is the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) in Germany.
A peek into our history: the European PT Information System or EPTIS was the name of an EU project that aimed at making an inventory of regularly operated PT schemes in the participating countries. The project partners were major national laboratories and institutes. The project resulted in a database with 590 PT schemes called the EPTIS database which went online in 2000. After the project had ended, the 16 partners agreed to continue the development on a voluntary and not-for-profit basis. They laid down the rules of their cooperation in a Joint Protocol and invited further organizations to join. A large number of organizations has followed their invitation in the meantime: today, the EPTIS database lists around 5,000 PT schemes from around 40 countries worldwide - and it's still growing. So, who are our present members: