Collusion and falsification of results in proficiency testing

Abstract

Proficiency testing is used internationally to provide objective evidence of testing laboratories testing competence. This paper covers the requirement in ISO/IEC 17043 regarding preventing collusion between participants and falsification of results in a proficiency testing program. Collusion between participants and falsification of results if this does occur will diminish the confidence from other participating laboratories and their customers and also other interested parties such as regulators and laboratory accreditation bodies in the proficiency testing process. This paper outlines some practical examples that a proficiency testing provider can use to reduce the chance of collusion between program participants and falsification of results.