External Quality Assessment

What is EQA?

"A system of objectively assessing the laboratory performance by an outside agency. EQA is a system whereby a set of reagents and techniques are assessed by an external source and the results of the testing laboratory are compared with those of an approved reference laboratory The main objective of external quality assessment is to establish inter-laboratory compatibility" (WHO 1981)

"External Quality Assessment" (EQA) and "Proficiency testing" (PT) are often used interchangeably. The difference between EQA and PT is not always clear. EQA is more used in Europe and PT in the US. EQA is more focused on education and continuous improvement; PT is focused on satisfactory performances and authorization.

Events All events

22 May 2009 - Workshop - Fulfilling the requirements of ISO 15189 for management review, internal quality control and external quality assessment (WP1.8)

09 Oct 2008 - Workshop - Fulfilling the requirements of ISO 15189 for management review, internal quality control and external quality assessment (WP1.8)

02 Sep 2008 - Erndim workshop on DPT schemes 2008 and EQA creatine synthesis disorders (WP1.5)

31 May 2008 - Round table sessions - Case studies on quality assurance and quality control issues in genetic testing laboratories (WP1.8)

Search for an EQA scheme

Find information about EQA schemes across Europe.

EQA Scheme Directories

• Molecular genetics
• Cytogenetics
• Biochemical genetics

How to join

Do you wish to add a new EQA scheme which is not included yet? Please email .

Documents

All documents related to EQA

Molecular Genetics

• Guideline: Best practice guidelines for molecular genetic diagnosis of cystic fibrosis and CFTR-related disorders – updated European recommendations
• High throughput single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping, quality assurance needs in the Industrial, Academic and Clinical sectors – discussion document
• Questionnaire: Pre Meeting Survey to be circulated among EMQN ad EuroGentest labs
• Report on Clinical Molecular Genetics EQA European scheme providers' meeting.
• Report on European National representatives meeting Clinical Molecular Genetics EQA
• Show all documents related to Molecular Genetics

Cytogenetics

• An Internet-based external quality assessment in cytogenetics that audits a laboratory's analytical and interpretative performance.
• Articles and reports released by unit 1
• Cytogenetic EQA (CEQA) Marking Criteria
• Feasibility of an internet-based EQA assessment system in Clinical Cytogenetics that audits the laboratory's analytical and interpretative performance.
• List of European National Contacts for Cytogenetics
• Minutes: EQA Cytogenetics Forum 2
• Minutes: EQA Cytogenetics Forum 3
• The current scope of cytogenetics EQA schemes and key recommendations for harmonization of EQA in Europe
• Show all documents related to Cytogenetics

Biochemical genetics

• Conclusions and recommendations on deficits and needs 
• National Representatives for Biochemical Genetic Testing
• Report of the first Eurogentest Best Practice meeting of National Representatives of EU25
• Updated Report on Biochemical Genetic Testing in Europe
• Show all documents related to Biochemical genetics

News

Open Call: Diagnostic Molecular Genetics Best Practice Meeting

EMQN in conjunction with EuroGentest are issuing an open call for topics for best practice meetings to be held in 2009. (upd.10 Oct 2008) More...

CEQA scheme open for 2008

CEQA opens it's EQA schemes on 26th of August and closes them on 23th September (upd.04 Sep 2008) More...

Workshop "fulfilling the requirements of ISO 15189 for management review, internal quality control and external quality assessment"

9-10 October 2008, Berlin, Germany. Preliminary agenda available and registration open. (upd.25 Jul 2008) More...

CEQA celebrates its 100th registration

Cytogenetic European Quality Assessment reaches an important milestone in its road to improving and harmonizing Cytogenetics EQA in Europe. (upd.04 Jul 2008) More...

UK NEQAS has opened registration for the CF testing on blood spots to European laboratories

UK NEQAS for Molecular Genetics has opened registration for the Cystic fibrosis testing on blood spots External Quality Assurance (EQA) 2008 scheme to European laboratories. Numbers have been limited for this year so any interested parties should contact the Scheme Organiser as soon as possible. (upd.18 Mar 2008) More...

EMQN and GfH EQA scheme merger

We are very pleased to announce that on December 20th 2007 the board of the German Society of Human Genetics (GfH) approved the merger of the EMQN and GfH External Quality Assessment schemes. (upd.18 Jan 2008) More...