ACES Proficiency Tests
About
Our Program
We offer annual rounds for metals and trace elements, ion balance, nutrients, suspended solids and sludge, and parameters for wastewater control in mainly natural matrices, including treated wastewater and sludge from municipal treatment plants, treated industrial wastewater, potable water, recipient water and lake water. Some parameters, such as chlorophyll, extreme pH, odor and taste, are offered every couple of years. Additional parameters can be added to our program if there is enough interest. Contact us if you have suggestions.
The proficiency tests are organized by the Environmental Monitoring Group at ACES, which is accredited according to ISO 17025. Although ACES is not accredited as a proficiency test provider, the tests are carried out in agreement with ISO 17043.
Registration
Costs
Metals and trace elements:
Registration fee 4200 SEK/part
+ 410 SEK/reported parameter.
Other rounds:
Registration fee 3400 SEK/part
+ 480 SEK/reported parameter.
The registration fee will be charged if an order is cancelled less than a week before dispatch.
Samples
Each of ACES’ test rounds consists of two or more “parts” with different matrices. Each part generally consists of a sample pair where both samples have the same origin. The individual samples are homogenized in separate tubs and should give slightly different analytical results. Tests for odor and taste consist of four separate samples.
Analytical methods
Participants’ analytical methods are classified using our analysis codes. A list with the relevant codes is sent together with the sample package. Fill in the code that best describes your method in the results form. If your method is not on the list write __-XX and give a brief description of your method, including a reference to the standard. This classification enables labs to compare their results with others using similar methods. We can also examine the material by grouping or dividing methods. This gives a greater precision in processing the data and more detailed information from the results. The reports contain information about the methods the participants have used. Any significant differences between analytical methods are commented on in the final report.
Reports
When the participating labs have reported the results of their analyses, we process the data. A preliminary report is published approximately two weeks after the results deadline. The final report is published about a month later.
The statistical analysis is in most cases based on consensus values. The z-values are calculated from the mean and standard deviation. Systematic errors are revealed by means of the Youden technique in which each pair of results is shown as a point in a coordinate system.
Participation is confidential. A unique participant ID is assigned for each round to identify participants’ results in the reports.
Confidentiality
To guarantee confidentiality a new participant ID is assigned for each round. The participant ID identifies the results in the reports and should not be confused with the lab code which is used for registration and when sending in the results of your analyses.
We will not disclose participants’ results to any third party without permission.
We may use data from the proficiency tests for purposes such as studies, presentations and publications. Individual results will be not be traceable to participating laboratories.
Participants may request contact with other laboratories for assistance or to discuss some issue. We will provide contact information only after gaining permission. The laboratories decide for themselves which information they wish to share with each other.
Personal data
The personal data we use includes the contact person’s name, e-mail address and telephone number. Only staff members working with the proficiency tests have access to the database where the information is stored. The information is used for communication with the laboratories and may be transferred to digital tools, for example for registration and shipping. Personal information is deleted when it is no longer needed.
How personal data is handled at Stockholm University.