ISO/ IEC 17043:2023 Training course - Conformity Assessment: General requirements for the Competence of Proficiency Testing Providers

ISO/ IEC 17043:2023 Training course - Conformity Assessment: General requirements for the Competence of Proficiency Testing Providers

ISO/IEC 17043:2023 is an international standard that specifies the general requirements for the competence, impartiality, and consistent operation of proficiency testing (PT) providers. Published jointly by ISO and IEC, the standard aims to ensure that proficiency testing schemes are designed, implemented, and evaluated in a scientifically sound, impartial, and reliable manner, supporting the assessment of competence of testing laboratories, calibration laboratories, and conformity assessment bodies.

To meet the growing demand from organizations operating in testing, calibration, inspection, certification, and conformity assessment sectors, VINTECOM International offers a comprehensive ISO/IEC 17043:2023 Training Course. This course provides participants with a thorough understanding of the standard requirements and practical guidance for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and improving a management system that complies with ISO/IEC 17043 requirements.

Why is ISO/IEC 17043 Important?

According to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 and many international accreditation programs, testing and calibration laboratories are required to participate in proficiency testing (PT) or interlaboratory comparison (ILC) programs to demonstrate technical competence and confidence in their results.

The quality and reliability of these PT schemes depend significantly on the competence of the PT provider. Therefore, ISO/IEC 17043 establishes internationally recognized requirements governing the design and management of PT schemes, including sample preparation, homogeneity and stability assessment, statistical evaluation, and reporting of results.

Target Participants

This training course is designed for:

• Proficiency Testing Providers (PT Providers);
• Organizations conducting Interlaboratory Comparison (ILC) programs;
• Testing laboratories accredited or preparing for accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025;
• Calibration laboratories accredited or preparing for accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025;
• Medical laboratories operating under ISO 15189;
• Inspection bodies operating under ISO/IEC 17020;
• Internal auditors;
• Quality managers, technical managers, laboratory managers, and personnel responsible for accreditation activities.

Technical Training Contents Based on ISO/IEC 17043:2023

1. Introduction to Proficiency Testing Programs

Participants will learn:

• Fundamental concepts and objectives of proficiency testing;
• Differences between PT and ILC schemes;
• Relationship between ISO/IEC 17043, ISO/IEC 17025, ISO 15189, and ISO/IEC 17020;
• Accreditation requirements related to proficiency testing programs.

2. Impartiality and Confidentiality Requirements

ISO/IEC 17043 requires PT providers to maintain impartiality throughout all activities.

The course covers:

• Identification and control of conflicts of interest;
• Assessment of risks affecting impartiality;
• Ensuring independence in technical decision-making;
• Protection of customer information and PT results;
• Anonymous coding systems for participating laboratories.

3. Organizational Structure and Personnel Competence

Participants will learn how to establish:

• An organizational structure compliant with ISO/IEC 17043;
• Personnel competence matrices;
• Qualification criteria for PT experts and technical personnel;
• Training and competency evaluation programs;
• Records demonstrating technical and statistical competence.

Special emphasis is placed on statistical competence, one of the most critical requirements of ISO/IEC 17043.

4. Design of Proficiency Testing Schemes

This module focuses on the core technical requirements for PT scheme development.

Participants will learn how to:

• Define PT objectives and scope;
• Develop PT plans and schedules;
• Select appropriate evaluation methods;
• Establish acceptance criteria;
• Determine Assigned Values;
• Establish Standard Deviations for Proficiency Assessment;
• Design PT schemes suitable for specific testing or calibration disciplines.

5. Preparation and Control of PT Items

ISO/IEC 17043 requires PT providers to demonstrate that PT items are suitable for their intended purpose.

The course covers:

• Selection of PT materials;
• Preparation of PT items;
• Homogeneity testing;
• Stability testing;
• Transportation and storage controls;
• Evaluation of environmental influences on PT items.

These requirements are frequently reviewed in detail during accreditation assessments.

6. Statistical Analysis and Performance Evaluation

VINTECOM International delivers this module through practical exercises and real-life examples.

Participants will practice:

• Assigned Value determination;
• Standard Deviation calculations for PT assessment;
• z-score evaluation;
• z'-score evaluation;
• En Number evaluation;
• Robust statistical analysis;
• Outlier detection and treatment;
• Performance assessment of participating laboratories.

This module represents one of the most technically demanding and critical aspects of ISO/IEC 17043 implementation.

7. Reporting of Proficiency Testing Results

Participants will learn:

• Structure and contents of PT reports;
• Statistical interpretation of results;
• Evaluation of participant performance;
• Requirements for report issuance, review, and revision control.

8. Management System Requirements

In addition to technical requirements, the course covers management system elements including:

• Document control;
• Record control;
• Risk and opportunity management;
• Control of externally provided products and services;
• Nonconforming work management;
• Corrective actions;
• Internal audits;
• Management reviews;
• Continual improvement.

Benefits of ISO/IEC 17043:2023 Training

Upon completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Understand all requirements of ISO/IEC 17043:2023;
• Establish and maintain a compliant PT provider management system;
• Design and manage proficiency testing schemes in accordance with international best practices;
• Conduct homogeneity and stability studies for PT items;
• Apply statistical techniques for PT evaluation and reporting;
• Prepare for ISO/IEC 17043 accreditation assessments;
• Strengthen technical competence and organizational credibility;
• Support laboratories in meeting ISO/IEC 17025 proficiency testing requirements;
• Enhance confidence among customers, regulators, accreditation bodies, and stakeholders.

VINTECOM International Training Methodology

The training is delivered by experienced experts with extensive practical knowledge in ISO/IEC 17025, ISO/IEC 17043, ISO 15189, ISO/IEC 17020, laboratory accreditation, and conformity assessment systems.

Rather than focusing solely on the interpretation of standard requirements, the course emphasizes practical implementation through case studies, sample documentation, statistical exercises, and real-world experiences from testing laboratories, calibration laboratories, and PT providers.

At the end of the training, participants complete a competency assessment examination and receive a Certificate of Completion issued by VINTECOM International.