ASTM_E_2027_-_09.pdf

Designation:E202709Standard Practice forConducting Proficiency Tests in the Chemical Analysis ofMetals,Ores,and Related Materials1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2027;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This practice provides direction for organizing andconducting proficiency test programs in analytical chemistryfor metals,ores,and related materials.It is consistent withISO Guide 43 and Guide E1301.It does not address theselection and use of proficiency testing schemes by accreditingbodies.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry forMetals,Ores,and Related MaterialsE826 Practice for Testing Homogeneity of a Metal Lot orBatch in Solid Form by Spark Atomic Emission Spec-trometryE1187 Terminology Relating to Conformity Assessment(Withdrawn 2006)3E1301 Guide for Proficiency Testing by InterlaboratoryComparisons(Withdrawn 2012)3E1724 Guide for Testing and Certification of Metal,Ore,andMetal-Related Reference Materials(Withdrawn 2010)32.2 ISO Standards:4ISO 17025 General Requirements for the Competence ofCalibration and Testing LaboratoriesISO Guide 43 Proficiency Testing by Interlaboratory Com-parisonsISO Guide 9000 Quality Management and Quality SystemElements3.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor formal definitions related to laboratoryaccreditation,Terminology E1187 applies.3.2 For other definitions of terms used in the practice,referto Terminology E135.4.Significance and Use4.1 This practice sets the basic requirements for proficiencytest programs in the chemical analysis of metals,ores,andrelated materials.It does not set specific proceduralrequirements,but does establish a framework for particularprograms,including those with either small or large numbersof participants.(WarningThe data from proficiency testingprograms must never be used to assign certification values tothe materials used in the program.The elements of a properlyconceived and implemented certification program are de-scribed in detail in Guide E1724.)4.2 Most accreditation bodies require that laboratories par-ticipate regularly in proficiency testing programs that they haveaccepted for the purpose.Therefore,it is essential that eachprogram comply with accepted principles including technicalrequirements,statistical procedures(see Annex A1),and qual-ity management(see Annex A2).5.Types of Proficiency Testing5.1 Proficiency testing techniques vary depending on thenature of the test item,the method in use and the number oflaboratories participating.The most common approach in-volves randomly selected sub-samples from a source of mate-rial being distributed simultaneously to participating testinglaboratories for concurrent testing.It is essential that all of thematerial from which the participants test materials are takenbe sufficiently homogeneous so that any results later identifiedas outliers should not be attributed to any significant test itemvariability.After completion of the testing,the results arereturned to the coordinating body,and compared with theassigned value(s)or to the mean and standard deviationsobtained from a statistical analysis of the data to give anindication of the performance of the individual laboratories andthe group as a whole.5.2 In some cases,separate portions of previously certifiedreference materials are circulated.1This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on AnalyticalChemistry for Metals,Ores,and Related Materials and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee E01.22 on Laboratory Quality.Current edition approved Nov.1,2009.Published December 2009.Originallyapproved in 1999.Last previous edition approved in 2005 as E2027 05.DOI:10.1520/E2027-09.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.4Available from American National Standards Institute(ANSI),25 W.43rd St.,4th Floor,New York,NY 10036,http:/www.ansi.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 6.Organization and Design6.1 Framework:6.1.1 The design stage of any proficiency testing programrequires the input of technical experts,statisticians and aprogram coordinator to ensure its success and smooth opera-tion.6.1.2 The coordinator,in consultation with these otherpersonnel,develops a program appropriate to the particularproficiency test.Aproficiency test program shall be designed toavoid any confusion about its objectives.A plan shall beestablished and documented(see Annex A2)