ASTM E2027-05

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: E2027 – 05
Standard Practice for
Conducting Proficiency Tests in the Chemical Analysis of
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Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2027; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.2 For other definitions of terms used in the practice, refer
to Terminology E135.
1.1 This practice provides direction for organizing and
conducting proficiency test programs in analytical chemistry
4. Significance and Use
for metals, ores, and related materials. It is consistent with
4.1 This practice sets the basic requirements for proficiency
ISO/IEC Guide 43 and Guide E1301. It does not address the
test programs in the chemical analysis of metals, ores, and
selection and use of proficiency testing schemes by accrediting
related materials. It does not set specific procedural require-
bodies.
ments, but does establish a framework for particular programs,
2. Referenced Documents including those with either small or large numbers of partici-
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pants.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1.1 WARNING: The data from proficiency testing pro-
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for
grams must never be used to assign certification values to the
Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
materials used in the program. The elements of a properly
E826 Practice for Testing Homogeneity of a Metal Lot or
conceived and implemented certification program are de-
Batch in Solid Form by SparkAtomic Emission Spectrom-
scribed in detail in Guide E1724.
etry
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4.2 Most accreditation bodies require that laboratories par-
E1187 Terminology Relating to Conformity Assessment
ticipateregularlyinproficiencytestingprogramsthattheyhave
E1301 Guide for Proficiency Testing by Interlaboratory
accepted for the purpose. Therefore, it is essential that each
Comparisons
program comply with accepted principles including technical
E1724 Guide for Testing and Certification of Metal, Ore,
requirements, statistical procedures (see Annex A1), and qual-
and Metal-Related Reference Materials
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ity management (see Annex A2).
2.2 ISO Standards:
ISO 17025 General Requirements for the Competence of
5. Types of Proficiency Testing
Calibration and Testing Laboratories
5.1 Proficiency testing techniques vary depending on the
ISO Guide 43 Proficiency Testing by Interlaboratory Com-
nature of the test item, the method in use and the number of
parisons
laboratories participating. The most common approach in-
ISO Guide 9000 Quality Management and Quality System
volves randomly selected sub-samples from a source of mate-
Elements
rial being distributed simultaneously to participating testing
3. Terminology laboratories for concurrent testing. It is essential that all of the
material from which the participants’ test materials are taken
3.1 Definitions—For formal definitions related to laboratory
be sufficiently homogeneous so that any results later identified
accreditation, Terminology E1187 applies.
as outliers should not be attributed to any significant test item
variability. After completion of the testing, the results are
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This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on Analytical
returned to the coordinating body, and compared with the
Chemistry of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and is the direct responsibility of
assigned value(s) to give an indication of the performance of
Subcommittee E01.22 on Laboratory Quality.
CurrenteditionapprovedMay1,2005.PublishedJuly2005.Originallyapproved
the individual laboratories and the group as a whole.
in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 1999 as E2027 – 99. DOI: 10.1520/
5.2 In some cases, separate portions of previously certified
E2027-05.
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reference materials are circulated.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
6. Organization and Design
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.
6.1 Framework:
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Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
on www.astm.org.
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Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
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E2027 – 05
6.1.1 The design stage of any proficiency testing program the coordinator shall enlist some professionals to act as an
requires the input of technical experts, statisticians and a advisory group. The functions of th
...