BS EN ISO/IEC 17043:2023

What is BS EN ISO/IEC 17043 - Competence of proficiency testing providers about?

This revised international standard gives all interested parties a way to determine the competence of organizations that deliver proficiency testing of the performance of laboratories. BS EN ISO/IEC 17043:2023 preserves and updates the principles in its 2010 predecessor and harmonizes with subsequent updates to related documents.

Who is BS EN ISO/IEC 17043 - Competence of proficiency testing providers for?

• Users of proficiency testing schemes

• Proficiency testing scheme managers, leads and coordinators

• Quality managers, coordinators and officers

• Regulatory authorities

• Organizations and schemes using peer assessment

• Accreditation bodies

• Anyone responsible for or involved in the management of services, quality support and/or technical management of schemes relating to proficiency testing or external quality assurance (EQA)

• Anyone wishing to use these requirements to confirm or recognize the competence of proficiency testing providers

What does BS EN ISO/IEC 17043 - Competence of proficiency testing providers cover?

It specifies general requirements for the competence and impartiality of proficiency testing providers and consistent operation of all proficiency testing schemes.

BS EN ISO/IEC 17043:2023 can be used as a basis for specific technical requirements for particular fields of application.

Why should you use BS EN ISO/IEC 17043 - Competence of proficiency testing providers?

• This document promotes confidence in proficiency testing providers which is essential to laboratories and their customers as well as regulators, accreditation bodies and other organization that specify requirements for laboratories
• It contains requirements that let proficiency testing providers demonstrate they operate competently and that can generate valid evaluations of participant performance
• By requiring proficiency testing providers to plan and implement actions that address risk and opportunities, BS EN ISO/IEC 17043:2023 establishes a basis for increasing the effectiveness of a management system, achieving improved results and preventing negative events
• By increasing trust in the competence of proficiency testing providers it facilitates trade
• By providing a consistent basis for determining competence it can improve efficiency
• Its use strengthens risk management
• Updates to the standard ensure it aligns with all related documents. This has eliminated potential excess costs that arose from a previous difference in application of requirements

What’s new about BS EN ISO/IEC 17043:2023?

This is a revision of BS EN ISO/IEC 17043:2010. The management system requirements in that standard were closely aligned with ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and the technical requirements of ISO Guide 34:2009 (for reference materials). These two reference documents have been revised to follow the CASCO common elements.

In addition, there were some inconsistencies between ISO/IEC 17043 and ISO 13528, regarding symbols and the use of experience in determining appropriate statistical procedures. This created a difference in application of the requirements by different PT providers and assessment bodies often leading to excess costs for compliance with the requirements.

To eliminate these conflicts the major changes in BS EN ISO/IEC 17043:2023 are:

1. Harmonization with the revision of ISO/IEC 17025, including technical requirements and structure
2. Harmonization with the revision of ISO 13528 in terms of terminology
3. Incorporation of requirements from ISO/CASCO PROC 33
4. Inclusion of the requirement that testing activities, calibration activities and PT item production conform to the relevant requirements of appropriate ISO conformity assessment standards
5. Deletion of Annex C and revision of Annexes A and B