THE JAPAN ACCREDITATION BOARD FOR CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT

1.Necessity for proficiency testing

These days, trading and scientific activity is of global scale and it is essential that "the results measured at a certain laboratory are acceptable anywhere else in the world". In order to cope with this environment, it is necessary to use test methods appropriate for a specific objective and to maintain the laboratory’s internal quality assurance system. It is equally necessary to compare test results frequently with those of other laboratories, to study any differences and to take measures to resolve these.

The ISO/IEC standards and guides specify the necessity for proficiency testing as follows:

	"shall conduct a review of the laboratory's quality system and testing and/or calibration activities to ensure their continuing suitability and effectiveness" and the management review shall take account of: "the results of inter-laboratory comparisons or proficiency tests". (ISO/IEC 17025, 4.14.1)
	in certain fields where traceability to appropriate measurement standards and measurement equipment cannot be strictly made in SI units, "Participation in a suitable program of inter-laboratory comparisons is required". (ISO/IEC 17025, 5.6.2.1.2)
	"the accreditation body shall encourage laboratories to participate in proficiency testing or other inter-laboratory comparisons". (ISO/IEC Guide 58, 6.8.1)

Furthermore, the document that describes procedures for concluding and maintaining multilateral recognition arrangements among members of Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation, (APLAC MR001), states that laboratory accreditation bodies must require that "calibration and testing laboratories have participated in proficiency tests". As a signatory to this MLA, JAB requires all its accredited laboratories to have participated in proficiency testing before gaining accreditation.
The procedure for proficiency testing is specified in ISO/IEC Guide 43(JIS Q 0043).

For reference: standards for proficiency testing:

	JIS Q 0043-1 Proficiency testing by inter-laboratory comparisons - Part 1: Development and operation of proficiency testing schemes, (ISO/IEC Guide 43 -1 Proficiency testing by inter-laboratory comparisons - Part 1: Development and operation of proficiency testing schemes)
	JIS Q 0043-2 Proficiency testing by inter-laboratory comparisons - Part 2: Selection and use of proficiency testing schemes by laboratory accreditation bodies (ISO/IEC Guide 43-2 Proficiency testing by inter-laboratory comparisons - Part 2: Selection and use of proficiency testing schemes by laboratory accreditation bodies)

2.Proficiency testing organized by JAB

JAB has provided proficiency testing programs based on relevant international guides since 1998.
Presently, JAB is providing the following proficiency

Test fields

	Analysis of metals and mechanical testing -Chemical analyses of metals -Hardness tests (metals in general, bolts) -Tensile tests (metals in general, bolts)
	Electromagnetic compatibility testing -Emission tests with noise emitters

Calibration bodies

	Calibration of direct current voltage
	Calibration of direct current resistance
	Calibration of mass (Electronic balance, etc.)
	Calibration of electronic balances
	Calibration of thermo couples

JAB intends to increase these proficiency testing programs in future. For details, please contact JAB.

Test procedures

For each test item, testing is carried out once every year. The system is ready to receive applications at any time of the year.
Uniform test pieces (two or two pairs) and instructions for testing will be sent to applicant laboratories.
The laboratory needs to report to JAB the results measured by an appropriate method - JIS method, ISO method or other recognized method.
The test data of each laboratory will be statistically calculated by JAB and the resulting report will be sent to participating laboratories.

Contents of the report

The report indicates the test results of each laboratory, identified only by its code number, enabling you to find out how your laboratory's results compared with those of other participating laboratories. (Only you will know the code number of your laboratory, so your test results will be known only to you and not to other laboratories.)
The following statistical processing will be conducted to evaluate the results.

1.	Indication of overall average values and their variations (standard deviation), etc. (statistical processing by conventional and robust methods)
2.	The position of your laboratory among all laboratories will be indicated by a Z-score bar chart or Youden plots, etc. Note: Z-score = (score of each laboratory - overall average score)/ standard deviation

By participating in such proficiency testing every year:

	you can be alert to any bias in your laboratory and identify any irregularities right away.
	by routinely participating in proficiency testing, you can build up a history of statistical data of performance compared with other laboratories and identify the measurement trends of your laboratory.

3.	Schedule of inter-laboratory comparisons for proficiency testing

Description of tests, frequency, and fees

(1) Chemical analysis

	Two test pieces (25 to 35mm in diameter X 15 to 30mm long) will be sent to you.
	The test pieces will be tested for their uniformity beforehand by a laboratory contracted by JAB .
	Each laboratory needs to test ten elements three times each, and report the total values.
	Measuring is to be performed by method A (spark emission spectro-chemical analysis or fluorescent X-ray analysis, etc.) or method B (atomic absorption method, or infrared absorption method, etc.). Each laboratory may participate in testing using both methods.
	You can keep the finished test pieces with you and use them as specimens for in-house quality control by making reference to the definitive values indicated in the report. (NB these are not certified reference materials).
	You are encouraged to participate in this proficiency testing regardless of whether your laboratory undertakes general testing or is a Fastener Quality Act laboratory.

Code No.	Type	No. of elements to analyze	Testing frequency	Annual fees (Postage, etc. not included)
2610 A00	Carbon steel/ low alloy steel - method A	10 elements	1/ year	30,000 Yen
2610 B00	Carbon steel/ low alloy steel - method B	10 elements	1/ year	30,000 Yen
2610 AB0	Carbon steel/ low alloy steel - methods A + B	10 elements	1/ year	30,000 Yen

Analysis methods

Method A:	This method allows the use of block specimens of JIS G 1253, JIS G 1256, etc. directly for measuring.
Method B:	This method requires machining test pieces out of block specimens of JIS G 1211, 1212, 1213, 1214, 1215, etc.
A + B method:	This method uses method A or method B, depending on the elements.

(2)Rockwell hardness tests

	Two test pieces (25 to 35mm in diameter X 15 to 30mm long) will be sent to you.
	The test pieces will be tested for their uniformity beforehand by a laboratory contracted by JAB.
	Details such as the number of tests will be explained separately in test instructions.
	Measuring will be in accordance with JIS Z 2245 or JIS B 1051 8.4.
	If your laboratory is a general laboratory, your test code will be 2510 193. If your laboratory is covered by the FQA and is a bolt inspection laboratory, you are encouraged to undertake both tests, code 2510 193 and 2509 193.

Code No.	Type	Test method	Testing frequency	Annual fees (Postage, etc. not included)
2510 193	Carbon steel/ low alloy steel (metals in general)	JIS Z 2245	1/ year	30,000 Yen
2509 193	Carbon steel/ low alloy steel (bolts)	JIS B 1051 8.4	1/ year	20,000 Yen

(3) Round bar tensile tests

	Two round bars or test pieces in round bars will be sent to you.
	The test pieces will be tested for their uniformity beforehand by a laboratory contracted by JAB.
	Testing needs to be against JIS Z 2241.
	Test items 1 tensile strength 2 0.2 % yield strength 3 elongation after fracture 4 reduction of area
	You are encouraged to participate in this testing regardless of whether your laboratory undertakes general testing or is a Fastener Quality Act laboratory. However, you are not obliged to report all the items and can choose to report only items relevant to the purpose of your laboratory (ex. 1. tensile strength only).

Code No.	Type	Test method	Testing frequency	Annual fees (Postage, etc. not included)
2510 183	Carbon steel/ low alloy steel (test pieces in round bar)	JIS Z 2241	1/ year	30,000 Yen
2510 184	Carbon steel/ low alloy steel (machined pieces)	JIS Z 2241	1/ year	34,000 Yen

(4) Fastener tensile tests

	Two pairs of bolt test pieces (sampled out of two different lots) will be sent to you.
	The test pieces will be tested for their uniformity beforehand by a laboratory contracted by JAB.
	Testing needs to be against JIS B 1051 8.2 and 8.6.
	Test items 1 maximum load 2 fracture position
	You are encouraged to undertake this test if your laboratory is covered by the FQA and is a bolt inspection laboratory.

Code No.	Type	Test method	Testing frequency	Annual fees (Postage, etc. not included)
2509 181	Carbon steel/ low alloy steel (product tensile test)	JIS B 1051 8.2	1/ year	20,000 Yen
2509 185	Carbon steel/ low alloy steel (wedge tensile test)	JIS B 1051 8.6	1/ year	20,000 Yen

Please click here for application forms.

Testing procedures

Testing is carried out once every year, and the system is ready to receive applications at any time of the year.
The same noise generator will be circulated to each participating laboratory in turn. If there is a large number of participants, noise generators of the same type and similar characteristics will be circulated in parallel to groups of laboratories. Participating laboratories are required to conduct measurements in accordance with the"Instructions for EMS proficiency testing" that will be distributed beforehand, and to report the test results to JAB.
The test data from each laboratory will be statistically calculated by JAB and the resulting report will be sent to participating laboratories.
For proficiency test data sheet, please click here (EXCEL File Format 69KByte)

Contents of the report

1.	Indication of overall average values and their accuracy (standard deviation), etc.
2.	Indication of in-house accuracy (standard deviation)
3.	The position of your laboratory among all laboratories will be indicated by a Z-score, etc. Note: Z-score = (score of each laboratory - overall average score)/ standard deviation

By participating in such proficiency testing every year:

	you can be alert to any bias in your laboratory and identify any irregularities right away.
	by routinely participating in testing you can build up a history of statistical data of performance compared with other laboratories and identify the measurement trends of your laboratory.

3.	Schedule of EMC Inter-laboratory Comparisons/ Proficiency Testing

Schedule of EMC Inter-laboratory Comparisons/ Proficiency Testing

Description of tests, frequency, and fees

The laboratory contracted by JAB will send you a noise generator and test instructions and also recording forms. If you are participating in the proficiency testing, you must measure three times each for radiant emission and conductive emission at a typical frequency designated within the zone of 30MHz to 1000MHz. Testing should be completed in two to three days, in principle, and you need to return the noise generator to JAB. The record sheets stating test results must also be sent to JAB.
We assume the cycle time from the contracted laboratory sending out the noise generator, the participating laboratory returning the generator after the test, JAB having the generator checked and the contracted laboratory and sending it out to the next participating laboratory will be seven to ten days. Therefore, we assume about twenty laboratories is the maximum for one test device. If the number of participating laboratories exceeds twenty, we will use another noise generator of the same specification, having first had its uniformity confirmed by a contracted laboratory.

The frequency of tests and participating fees are as shown below:

Code No.	Types of tests	Testing frequency	Annual fees
2100 510	Emission tests with a noise generator	1/ year	80,000 Yen
2100 510	Emission tests with a noise generator (after the 2^nd test at the same site)	1/ year	60,000 Yen

Note: Postage, etc. is included but not the consumption tax.

Please click here for application forms.

Types of tests

Types of tests presently conducted are:

	calibration of DC voltage;
	calibration of AC voltage;
	DC resistance calibration;
	calibration of mass (electronic balance/weight, etc.);
	calibration of length (block gauge); and
	thermocouple calibration.

We intend to increase the types of tests as requested by laboratories.

Test procedures

Tests are carried out at all times, as required, and you can apply to participate at any time through the year. Samples with values measured by a reference laboratory will be circulated to each laboratory in turn.
Participating laboratories must conduct measurements in accordance with the"procedure for JAB/PTP inter-laboratory comparisons/proficiency testing" and report the results to JAB.
The test data of each laboratory will be statistically calculated by JAB and the resulting report will be sent to participating laboratories.

Contents of the report

The report indicates the test results of each laboratory identified by its code number, enabling you to find out how your laboratory's results compared with those of other participating laboratories. (Only you will know the code number of your laboratory, so your our test results will be known only to you and not to other laboratories.)
The following statistical processing, recommended by ISO/IEC Guide 43, will be conducted to evaluate the results.
1 Standard values and uncertainties calibrated by the reference laboratory;
2 Reference values and uncertainties calibrated by each laboratory;
3 En values of each participating laboratory,
En values are calculated by the following formula

En = (LAB - REF)/(U_LAB² + U_REF²)^0.5

Where,
LAB: measurement by a participating laboratory
REF: standard value calibrated by the reference laboratory
ULAB: uncertainty of a participating laboratory
UREF: uncertainty of the reference laboratory

4.	Schedule of calibration tests/proficiency testing - at any time, as required
	If necessary, interim reports will be sent to each participating laboratory each time a calibration is completed. The contents of any interim reports will, however, be limited to the En values, etc. obtained by each laboratory, and will not include the results of the reference laboratory as these affect the proficiency test as a whole.

Frequency of calibration tests and fees for the participation are as follows:

Code No.	Types of tests	Testing frequency	Annual fees (see Note)
0110 600	DC voltage calibration test	As necessary	80,000 Yen
0110 300	AC voltage calibration test	As necessary	90,000 Yen
0110 500	AC resistance calibration test	As necessary	90,000 Yen
0140 800	Calibration test of mass (electronic balance/ weight)	As necessary	60,000 Yen
0130 300	Block gauge calibration test	As necessary	60,000 Yen
0170 600	Thermocouple calibration test	As necessary	70,000 Yen

Note: Postage, etc. is included but not the consumption tax.

Please click here for application forms.