What is EPTIS

EPTIS is an internet database that lists almost 1,000 PT schemes operated in Europe, the Americas and Australia. It helps laboratories and other PT stakeholders to find a suitable PT scheme. The focus is on the field of testing; calibration and clinical PT schemes are not included systematically.

EPTIS lists the matrix and measurands, accreditation status, price, contact details and much more for each of the PT schemes. It also explains how the PT provider sets the assigned value and the standard deviation for proficiency assessment. This helps the user to judge whether a specific PT scheme is fit for purpose .

The history of EPTIS goes back to the 1990s. At that time, proficiency testing enjoyed a fast growing interest in Europe as an excellent tool to demonstrate and assess the performance of analytical laboratories. However, despite its benefits, participation in PT was hampered not only by the restricted offer of suitable PT schemes but also by the lack of information on their availability.

In 1998, 16 organisations in 16 European countries joined forces to overcome the information barrier. The partners extensively surveyed the availability of PT schemes and their characteristics within their countries. All this information was entered into the EPTIS database, which was made public on the internet in 2000. The European Union supported the foundation of EPTIS.

Since its launch EPTIS has grown considerably, both in terms of schemes registered and country participation, and today it is an international database. At present, 37 countries take part in EPTIS. The database and website servers, along with the secretariat, are hosted by the BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing in Germany.