Eurachem, in co-operation with CITAC and EQALM are holding their 10^th Proficiency Testing Workshop from 12 to 15 October 2020 at the De Vere Beaumont Hotel in Windsor, UK.

The workshop is open to the international analytical community and includes four days devoted to training courses, invited lectures,

short communications, poster sessions and working group discussions. In particular the topics for the training sessions are:

• Basic Statistics
• Further Statistics
• PT Scheme Design
• Test Item QC Testing

The topics for the lectures and workshops include:

• Revision of ISO/IEC 17043
• Guidance on different methods for setting the standard deviation for proficiency assessment
• Collusion or falsification of results in PT – Why does this happen and how can it be prevented
• Comparisons of synthetic vs real PT items
• Emerging trends in PT
• Risk analysis approach for PT participation

For further details and registration please visit: www.eurachem-pt2020.org

The World Metrology Day project is realised jointly by the BIPM and the OIML and is celebrated on 20 May each year.

The theme for 2020: Measurements for global trade was chosen to create awareness of the important role measurement plays in facilitating fair global trade, ensuring products meet standards and regulations, and satisfying customer quality expectations.

Indeed more widely metrology, the science of measurement, plays a central role in scientific discovery and innovation, industrial manufacturing and international trade, in improving the quality of life and in protecting the global environment.

The 2020 World Metrology Day Resource website is now available: http://www.worldmetrologyday.org/ and includes a Press Release, the Directors’ Message and the poster in English and French.

Please feel free to access these materials and use them to support and promote the importance of metrology and World Metrology Day.

The signatory status of Bangladesh Accreditation Board (BAB), Bangladesh, has been extended to include medical testing (ISO 15189) and inspection (ISO/IEC 17020).

The full list of signatories to the ILAC MRA is available here.

ILAC has now published a video: An introduction to ILAC

Accreditation, including accredited calibration, testing, medical testing, inspection and proficiency testing providers, plays a significant role in delivering confidence in everyday life as well supporting regulators and trade.

The amended articles of association of ILAC and revised Bylaws that were approved at the ILAC General Assembly on 30 October 2019 have now been published as: ILAC-2A:11/2019 ILAC Rules: Articles of Association and ILAC-2B:11/2019 ILAC Rules: Bylaws. These documents are available here.

A case study in-conjunction with the USEPA Energy Star programme has been published by ILAC and IAF demonstrating the benefits of using accredited conformity assessment for the regulator and trade. It is available from here.

As part of the ILAC and IAF Annual Meetings held in Frankfurt from the 21st – 30th of October 2019, the ILAC General Assembly was held on the 28th and 30th of October 2019. The adopted resolutions from the ILAC 2019 General Assembly are now available here.

The signatory status of Ethiopian National Accreditation Office (ENAO), Ethiopia, has been extended to include inspection (ISO/IEC 17020). The full list of signatories to the ILAC MRA is available here.

The latest edition of the bi-annual ILAC Newsletter, Issue 56 – October 2019, has now been published.

The newsletter includes information on the international, regional and national updates on accreditation and conformity assessment from ILAC members and liaisons, as well as the ILAC Chair and Secretariat.

The ILAC AIC has organised a Workshop: Accreditation of Biobanking for 22 October 2019 as part of the ILAC/IAF annual meetings being held in Frankfurt.

The agenda for this workshop is now available and provides an opportunity to hear from members of ISO 276 responsible for the development of ISO 20387. In addition there are speakers sharing their early experiences in the implementation of this standard from both the perspective of Biobanks and accreditation.

Interested in participating in this exciting opportunity in the development of accreditation in Biobanking? Visit https://ilaciafmeetings.org/ to register.