1. RPF Laboratory Accreditation/Verification Task Group RPF meeting 13/14 November 2002

2. RPF Resolution ( Roodevallei, November 2001) That inter-laboratory testing be conducted on an ongoing basis under the guidance of a Task Group to be convened by the Asphalt Academy

3. Role of Task Group To coordinate the accreditation, verification and proficiency activities of materials testing laboratories with the ultimate aim of improving confidence levels in test results emanating from the laboratories To coordinate the accreditation, verification and proficiency activities of materials testing laboratories with the ultimate aim of improving confidence levels in test results emanating from the laboratories

4. Problem Lack of confidence in results from laboratories Lack of confidence in results from laboratories Clients insisting on Laboratory Accreditation Clients insisting on Laboratory Accreditation SANAS regulations require laboratories “to assure the accurate, reliable and prompt reporting of test results and assure the adequacy and competency of the lab staff” (Proficiency Scheme) SANAS regulations require laboratories “to assure the accurate, reliable and prompt reporting of test results and assure the adequacy and competency of the lab staff” (Proficiency Scheme) No Proficiency Schemes established in line with ISO 43 to assess whether laboratory tests are being performed properly (some inter-laboratory schemes are in the process of being established) No Proficiency Schemes established in line with ISO 43 to assess whether laboratory tests are being performed properly (some inter-laboratory schemes are in the process of being established)

5. Proficiency v Lab Comparisons Proficiency Quality assurance according to national/international standards (ISO 43) Quality assurance according to national/international standards (ISO 43) Well design and structured procedures Well design and structured procedures Complete structure with a coordinating body Complete structure with a coordinating body Comprehensive procedures and guidelines and manual available Comprehensive procedures and guidelines and manual available Lab Comparisons Undefined and unstructured set of operations Undefined and unstructured set of operations Various standards are normally applied Various standards are normally applied Not validated according to international requirements Not validated according to international requirements Norms are generally based on actual correlation data not on a pre-determined accepted value Norms are generally based on actual correlation data not on a pre-determined accepted value

6. Proficiency Scheme Actions Establish a sub-committee to investigate appropriate proficiency schemes; Establish a sub-committee to investigate appropriate proficiency schemes; Create a prioritisation framework for test methods required to undergo proficiency testing; Create a prioritisation framework for test methods required to undergo proficiency testing; Prioritise test methods for proficiency testing; Prioritise test methods for proficiency testing; Develop Guidelines on proficiency scheme for the road sector in line with ISO 43; Develop Guidelines on proficiency scheme for the road sector in line with ISO 43; Establish a coordinating structure; Establish a coordinating structure; Identify potential service providers to manage the scheme; Identify potential service providers to manage the scheme; Identify and motivate funding to implement the scheme Identify and motivate funding to implement the scheme

7. Proposed Structure for a National Proficiency Scheme SANAS (Specialist Testing Committee) National Coordinating Body (NPSRA) Proficiency Scheme Management Sampling plans and procedures Validation of test methods Statistical evaluation of results Reporting and Certification Accredited reference Laboratories Laboratory 1Laboratory nLaboratory 2 MTC

8. Task Group Recommendations A National Proficiency Scheme should be established for the road sector in support of the accreditation process A National Proficiency Scheme should be established for the road sector in support of the accreditation process Controlled by a National Coordinating Body (National Proficiency Assessment Services for Roads, NPASR) Controlled by a National Coordinating Body (National Proficiency Assessment Services for Roads, NPASR) Run on a regional basis Run on a regional basis Independent service provider(s) needed to run the scheme and responsible to NPASR Independent service provider(s) needed to run the scheme and responsible to NPASR Process has the support of SANAS Process has the support of SANAS

9. Funding Implications Upfront funding required to set up the procedures, documentation and management structures (including a national database) Upfront funding required to set up the procedures, documentation and management structures (including a national database) Meeting required of potential funders for further discussions Meeting required of potential funders for further discussions Scheme would ultimately be self-supporting through the participating laboratories Scheme would ultimately be self-supporting through the participating laboratories Each test would have a proficiency requirement and charged per test Each test would have a proficiency requirement and charged per test

10. Future Role of Task Group? Organisation of meeting with potential funders for detailed discussions Organisation of meeting with potential funders for detailed discussions Task Group v NPASR and representation Task Group v NPASR and representation