Declaration of Conformity to the Standard
ISO/IEC 17043:2023 Conformity assessment — General requirements for the competence of proficiency testing providers

SA Quality for Metrology by Stefania Accorsi declares to comply with the requirements of the ISO/IEC 17043:2023 standard in the organization of interlaboratory comparisons for Proficiency Testing (PT) when these are not included in its own Accreditation table.

Purpose and Scope of this Document
This declaration certifies that SA Quality for Metrology has established, documented, implemented, and maintains a management system compliant with ISO/IEC 17043:2023, applicable to the design, organization, implementation, and management of Proficiency Testing (PT) programs and interlaboratory comparisons.

Independence and Impartiality
SA Quality for Metrology operates with full technical, managerial, and financial independence from participating laboratories, suppliers, or other interested parties, ensuring complete impartiality in results and evaluations. To this end:

• A risk register concerning impartiality is maintained and periodically updated;
• No technical consulting activities are provided to calibration laboratories participating in the proposed comparisons;
• Impartiality is continuously verified during management reviews and internal audits;
• Procedures ensure functional separation between personnel involved in PT activities and those who may perform technical support or customer management functions.

Conformity to Technical Requirements
SA Quality for Metrology complies with the technical requirements described in Chapters 6 (“Resource requirements”) and 7 (“Process requirements”) of ISO/IEC 17043:2023 through a fully documented and verified organizational structure, infrastructure, resources, and procedures.

Technical Resources and Infrastructure
The organization:

• Employs qualified technical staff with specific competence in metrology, applied statistics, and PT management; competence is documented through CVs, training records, and internal evaluation evidence;
• Uses calibrated measuring instruments traceable to the International System of Units (SI), with metrological traceability ensured by laboratories accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025;
• Maintains controlled facilities for the preparation, storage, and distribution of PT samples, when required;
• Uses validated software for statistical processing, with version control, data backup, and data protection;
• Evaluates and approves subcontractors involved in the supply and calibration of samples, ensuring that they operate in accordance with ISO 17025.

Conduct of PT Programs
To ensure the technical and statistical validity of Proficiency Testing programs:

• Each PT program is designed according to a documented technical plan that includes objectives, statistical design, sample type, assigned value, and evaluation criteria (e.g., En values);
• Comparison samples are selected and characterized using traceable methods and verified for homogeneity and stability, following procedures inspired by ISO 13528;
• Sample distribution is carried out with full traceability and transport condition control to guarantee integrity and stability;
• Participants receive clear and standardized instructions defining approved methods, timelines, result submission criteria, and data confidentiality;
• Received data are verified, coded, and securely archived to prevent errors or inappropriate correlations;
• Statistical analysis, assigned value determination, and uncertainty estimation are performed according to validated and documented methodologies included in each PT report;
• Each PT report includes all elements required by the standard (purpose, methods, results, statistics, interpretation, technical comments);
• A complaint and appeal management process is in place, ensuring transparency and impartiality in the review of evaluations;
• Ongoing surveillance of PT processes and periodic verification of the statistical and technical effectiveness of programs are performed.

Management System and Continuous Improvement
The management system implemented by SA Quality for Metrology meets the requirements of Chapter 8 of ISO/IEC 17043:2023. It includes:

• Documented policies, manuals, and procedures for quality and technical activities management;
• Document and record control;
• Risk and opportunity assessment;
• Planned internal audits and at least annual management reviews;
• Corrective and preventive actions based on root cause analysis and performance indicators;
• A systematic approach to the continuous improvement of system effectiveness and participant satisfaction.

Confidentiality
All technical, statistical, and identifying information related to PT participants is treated with strict confidentiality. Results are published in coded form, and individual information is accessible only to respective participants, in accordance with privacy, confidentiality, and cybersecurity policies.

Final Declaration
SA Quality for Metrology declares that its technical-organizational system:

• Complies with all requirements of ISO/IEC 17043:2023;
• Ensures competence, independence, impartiality, and confidentiality in Proficiency Testing activities;
• Maintains metrological traceability, statistical validity, and technical integrity in all operational phases;
• Is subject to continuous monitoring and improvement to ensure the quality, reliability, and scientific value of interlaboratory comparisons provided to its clients.

Carpi (MO), li 06/11/2025

Dott.ssa Stefania Accorsi