Manfred Golze

Information system and qualifying criteria for proficiency testing schemes

Abstract Since October 1998 the European Commission has financed a concerted action on Information System and Qualifying Criteria for Proficiency Testing Schemes within the 4th framework program. As a major result of this project EPTIS, the European Information System on Proficiency Testing Schemes which is available on the Internet since March 2000, is presented in this paper. Today EPTIS contains comprehensive information on approximately 640 proficiency testing schemes from 16 European countries providing information on the state of the art in proficiency testing in Europe. Finally some possible approaches for interlinkages and recognition of proficiency testing schemes are discussed.

Customers’ needs in relation to uncertainty and uncertainty budgets

Abstract The general requirement of Quality Management standards to include in test reports a statement of the uncertainty of the results reflects the fact that a test result is rather useless without a knowledge of its accuracy. After an outline of the basic concepts of uncertainty, the need for uncertainty statements is illustrated for different ranges of applications.

Quality in Measurement and Testing

Technology and todayʼs global economy depend on reliable measurements and tests that are accepted internationally. As has been explained in Chap. 1, metrology can be considered in categories with different levels of complexity and accuracy. Scientific metrology deals with the organization and development of measurement standards and with their maintenance. Industrial metrology has to ensure the adequate functioning of measurement instruments used in industry as well as in production and testing processes. Legal metrology is concerned with measurements that influence the transparency of economic transactions, health, and safety. All scientific, industrial, and legal metrological tasks need appropriate quality methodologies, which are compiled in this chapter.