Quality Assurance Schemes
The Role of QA Schemes
The purpose of a QA schemes is to provide a source of external quality assurance.
QA schemes generally focus on laboratory analytical quality control, AQC (i.e. the quality of sample processing).
QA schemes principally exist to ensure the quality of sample processing between laboratories engaged in common scientific programmes.
This is often achieved through intercalibration exercises, commonly known as ring tests, and also through training exercises.
QA schemes, in their simplest form may consist of an exchange of material between two or more laboratories. Larger schemes often use one administrative laboratory that is responsible for circulation of test material and the analysis and reporting of results.
Ring test results may be kept in confidence between the participant and the assessor, allowing the participant to undertake remedial action. Thus the aim of these schemes is not to 'name and shame' but to provide encouragement to raise overall standards. Whilst participation in various scientific programmes is dependent on participation in a QA scheme many schemes have an open door policy and encourage wider participation.
Participation within the MarBEF Network
Our aim is to provide a description of the QA schemes that exist in Europe, with relevance to work carried out under MarBEF. It is hoped that access to this information will encourage participation from within the MarBEF community.
The table below provides a summary of QA schemes, the matrices they consider and their coverage. Further details of each scheme can be found below.
Do you know of any schemes (national or international) which are not covered here and may be relevant? If so, please contact the QA work package leader (see Contacts).
MarBEF QA Scheme Register
MarBEF participants are invited to register their participation in a QA Schemes below. To do so please contact the QA work package leader (see Contacts).
| Organisation Name | QA Scheme |
| Centre for Environment, Fisheries& Aquaculture Science, UK | NMBAQC Scheme |
| - | - |
| - | - |
| - | - |
Details of existing QA schemes
I. National Marine Biological Analytical Quality Control Scheme (NMBAQC)/Biological Effects Quality Assurance Monitoring (BEQUALM)
| Scope | Open to all laboratories (Mandatory for all laboraties processing samples for the UK National Marine Monitoring Programme) |
| Matricies | macrozoobenthos, (phytoplankton, fish, epibentos) |
| Tests | ring tests, own sample, macrobenthic sample, lab ref, workshops |
| Contact | Myles O'Reilly (myles.oreilly@sepa.org.uk) |
| Website | http://www.nmbaqcs.org |
| Further info | Info-Pack BEQUALM - NMBAQC |
II. Quality Assurance Panel of the German Marine Monitoring Programme (QA GMMP)
| Scope | Mandatory for all laboratories involved in the German Marine Monitoring Programme (GMMP). Open to other labs on request (where sufficient capacity) |
| Matricies | macrozoobenthos, phytoplankton, chlorophyll-a |
| Tests | ring tests, workshops |
| Contact | Dr P Schilling (petra.schilling@uba.de) |
| Website | none |
| Further info | QA GMMP of the North and Baltic Sea at the Federal Environmental Agency of Germany. Download flyer 1 and flyer 2. |
