Guaranteed accuracy in water quality measurements
Interlaboratory comparisons to prove the technical competence of laboratories
External quality assurance is essential for successful laboratories. In water analysis even the lowest concentrations of environmental chemicals have to be detected.
Interlaboratory comparisons allow laboratories the verification of the validity of their test results by an external quality control programme. Accredited testing laboratories also need them as proof of their technical competence.
Our solution
The Environment Agency Austria (Umweltbundesamt) offers, together with IFA-Tulln, Proficiency Testing Scheme for Water Analysis. Every year around 20 proficiency testing rounds are planned where a wide range of organic and inorganic parameters in water such as NEW: herbicides (expanded range – new pesticides and metabolites – 2 rounds per year), nutrients, pharmaceuticals, metals and trace elements and NEW: PFAS will be measured.
In 2026 the proficiency test for pesticides including relevant and non-relevant metabolites in drinking water including optional extended scope for pesticides and metabolites is offered again (schedule: every two years).
Proficiency Testing for Pesticides in Drinking Water
Our services in detail
- Details for synthetic and natural water samples please see our folder Proficiency Testing Scheme for Water Analysis and our Proficiency Testing Programme.
- For each round of groundwater, surface water, waste water and drinking water two water samples containing varying concentrations will be dispatched.
- You will receive clearly structured, anonymous test results including z-scores and also En-scores for your information and a confirmation of participation.
- Target values will be available, shortly after the closing date, on our website Reports from Interlaboratory Comparisons and the website of
www.ifatest.at or www.proficiency-testing.eu. - Comprehensive reports containing all test results in anonymized form will also be published on this website.Reports from Interlaboratory Comparisons
Your benefit
- You use interlaboratory comparison as an instrument for external quality assessment to measure your performance in water quality analysis.
- Quality assurance of analytical results will help you to keep or win customer confidence.
- Your participation in the proficiency testing system will be recognized by the Austrian Accreditation Body at the Federal Ministry for Labor and Economy as proof of the technical competence of accredited testing laboratories.
Quality makes a difference
In selecting the Environment Agency Austria and IFA-Tulln as partners, you are choosing two of leading European laboratories in environmental analysis. The testing laboratory of the Environment Agency Austria, with its many years of experience in carrying out research projects and specialist measurement programmes for the federal government and the provinces, is the Austrian laboratory for water analysis. More than 35 years of experience make the Environment Agency Austria your competent partner. The IFA-Tulln has been conducting, on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Agriculture, Forestry, Regions and Water Management, interlaboratory comparisons for water quality analysis on a regular basis since 1995. Since 2013 within the cooperation between IFA-Tulln and the Umweltbundesamt we offer interlaboratory comparisons for real water samples (ground water, surface water, urban waste water and drinking water, partly spiked).
Up to now, more than 1000 laboratories from 40 different countries have participated in our proficiency testing scheme. Our customers benefit from our high quality standards and know-how on the cutting edge.
Registration, programme & prices
For details on dates, parameter groups & prices please see the documents in the download area. For registration please contact IFA-Tulln.
Information about the Proficiency Testing Scheme for Environmental Analysis
Dealing with complaints and objections
- All participants have the opportunity to report any complaints or objections by e-mail to ringversuche@umweltbundesamt.atwithin 14 days after receiving the confirmation of participation (containing information on assessment, on assigned values and criteria) and after receiving the report. Furthermore, questions, requests or suggestions by participants can be sent to ringversuche@umweltbundesamt.at.
- All complaints and objections received by the proficiency testing provider will be handled according to our complaints management. In the event of a complaint or objection, the staff of the proficiency testing team will contact the participant. The facts of the case are then examined internally and the participant is informed of the investigations carried out and the measures required. Complaints or objections are processed by experts form the proficiency testing team who were not involved in the matter in question. It is ensured that the complaint or objection does not result in any disadvantage to the complainant. The participant will be informed of the end of the processing of the complaint or objection.
- In case of justified complaints or objections, the participants will be contacted by e-mail and informed about possible editorial or technical changes including reference to a new edition (e.g. report edition 2).
