TERMS & CONDITIONS for PT (Proficiency Testing) / ILC (Inter Laboratory Comparison) participation

In this terms and conditions use of “masculine” gender shall include the “feminine” gender and “singular” shall include “plural” and “testing” shall include “sampling” wherever relevant to the context, and vice versa. The terms and conditions are equally applicable for ILC schemes or External Quality Assurance schemes and wherever the term PT is used it shall include ILC or EQAS (External Quality Assurance Scheme) wherever relevant to the context.

Information brochure on PT Scheme(s) include following and is in public domain www.proficiencytesting.in 

1.Frequently asked questions 2. Registration form 3.PT calendar(s) 4. Terms & Conditions for participation 5. PT protocol 6. NABL Scope

Customers or Participants shall go through information brochure carefully and clarify any doubts with PT Coordinator 

REGISTRATION

Participation is given to participants (as defined in ISO/IEC 17043) directly or indirectly through customers. Both accredited and non-accredited CABs and individuals are eligible for participation except as detailed out in PT protocol. CABs shall use calibrated equipment and/or certified reference material in line with NABL 142 for testing the parameters including sampling for which participation is made irrespective of accreditation status.  Participants shall also keep record of all calculations, graphs and other raw data.  PT provider does not require any of this data along with test reports but may ask for the same if required. The said information may also be verified by regulatory authorities or accreditation bodies during their audits. The said information is also useful in doing root cause analysis. The failure of participant to provide above information any time as asked by PTP may lead to ‘Results Not Considered’ / Cancellation of participation and decision of PTP in this regard shall be final. CABs ARE STRONGLY ADVISED NOT TO ENGAGE IN ANY COLLUSION. COLLUSION IS SOLE RESPONSIBILITY AND RISK OF PARTICIPANT. PT provider may ban such participants from further participation or take other action as deemed suitable. Please also refer to ‘CODE OF CONDUCT’ on our website. Also note we except high standards of ethics and integrity from participants and a work environment on par with international standards.

  • Registration fees reflecting on the PTP’s website is to be treated as a formal quotation. Rates for all PT schemes are included in every round page.
  • For registration website registration is mandatory, except, as stated by the PT provider.
  • PT fee transaction details are mandatory to share with PTP to confirm the registration. The payment is to be made to the beneficiary account included in your order email received on your registered email inbox. Bill/ Tax invoice is issued on receipt of payment.
  • Registration is temporary/on hold till the payment is made. Payments are to be made in advance.
  • Full Program cost is payable whether the customer takes parts in one or more parameters, except if agreed by the PT provider
  • PT Scheme fees may increase or decrease with time. Fees, as agreed at the time of registration/ Bill, raised is payable. The decision of PTP in this regard is final.
  • Tax (GST) will be charged extra as applicable. Program costs include sample delivery charges in India except where pre-informed. However, if there is any road tax; Octroi etc. the same is to be borne by the customer. Participants shall also have to pick up samples from a nearby place to CAB if door delivery is not possible. Samples can also be sent to customers at a common place for further distribution to participants as per instructions given and agreed with participants.
  • Registration is on first cum first basis. Participants who register late may be shifted to the next PT scheme. PT provider may suggest/ request participation in a specific scheme for meeting the minimum participant’s requirement or otherwise. 
  • The relevant information on ISO/IEC 17043 accreditation of PT provider by NABL is made available on the website www.proficiencytesting.in  (complete scope as well as a certificate). Please clarify before registration if the participant has any confusion about the status of PTP accreditation. The PT schemes whether covering accredited parameters or non-accredited parameters or both accredited as well as non-accredited parameters are run as per ISO/IEC 17043 and ISO 13528. The non-accredited parameters in a scheme or non-accredited schemes introduced from time to time are brought under the purview of accreditation in subsequent cycles in line with NABL-163. The participants are informed in line with NABL-133 and a separate report is issued for non-accredited parameters or non-accredited schemes.

Operations

  • As per NABL-181 the records of PT scheme participation shall be accessible to NABL if so desired by it. PTP provides information every quarter to NABL. Results shall also be shared with regulators when asked by them. Results may also be shared with customer for which a PT scheme is provided through a contractual arrangement for its participants. For more details on confidentiality read PT protocol.
  • PT scheme can be run earlier/postponed, or two schemes may be merged; A parameter can be removed/added in a scheme or range of testing may be varied at the time of running; This may be due to operational reasons; new developments; due to nature of product or matrix; homogeneity or stability issues and or reasons beyond control. Decision of PT provider in this regard is final. Participants are informed as applicable. Programs may have to be re-run due to problems in homogeneity and stability or any other technical or unavoidable circumstances.  Fee is refunded except for tax part only when scheme cannot be run for more than 18 months from date of closure of registration. Refund of fee else otherwise is subject to sole discretion of PT provider on such grounds as found to be satisfactory.
  • There may be changes in timeline of PT schemes due to holiday(s) or some unavoidable circumstances and participants are informed.
  • PT samples are sent on address given at the time of registration or as agreed with participant and or customer and all communications are done on emails given therein.
  • Communications are through email only. Refer to website www.proficiencytesting.in  for updates from time to time. PT reports are given in soft format only (PDF).
  • We shall not be responsible for any lapses due to incomplete or illegible registration / non-payments or delay in receipt of payments or information on account of problems with email / internet / online transactions and similar issues. We acknowledge all
  • emails within 72 hours (3 Days) except for result sheets or sample acknowledgement receipt forms. For Participant Result Sheet PT provider contacts participants after the result submission date if the results are not received. In case no acknowledgement is received and or no information is received as per timeline provided for the PT scheme please contact on telephone and or email.
  • It is for the participant to update its contacts with PT provider if there are any changes. We are not responsible for any miscommunication due to change in staff of the participant or otherwise.
  • Methods to be adopted for testing or sampling are included on our website and further informed in instructions given to participants. Same set of methods are to be followed, however, with in methods based on same principle, there may be operational variations. PT provider may provide specific instructions for the purpose of uniformity.
  • PT provider does not provide summary of test results of participants in form of draft result sheet or final report to participants who have not cleared the payment. In such a case, PT provider is not responsible if subsequently it is found that any results provided by participants are entered wrong due to lack of cross checking or otherwise.   PT provider also do not update the results to NABL of those participants whose payment is pending. Therefore, such participants cannot avail of benefits if any under NABL 163. PT Participants are therefore advised to clear their payments as decided and in time. REPORTS ARE NOT RELEASED TILL PAYMENT IS CLEAR.
  • All clarifications must be taken in writing by email, conclusions drawn from telephonic discussions are at the participants’ own risk.
  • PT Provider may refuse provision of PT services to the CAB in case of influencing/ canvassing/ threatening/ disrespectful behaviour/ use of abusive language/ proven evidence of fraudulent behavior/ suspected collusion or issues affecting impartiality and integrity Use of reports: The report is strictly for use by participant for (i) to monitor its performance and or to improve the CABs activities (ii) to show to the CABs customers, regulatory authorities and organizations providing accreditation or recognition as part of audit or assessment requirements. PT report in part or whole shall not be given by participant to anybody for any reason other than as stated above without taking the permission of PT coordinator in writing. PT provider can bar future participation for participant if misuse or unauthorised sharing or tempering of PT reports is found.

Legal

KEEP YOURSELF UPDATED BY OBTAINING LATEST INFORMATION FROM PTP FROM TIME TO TIME For any clarifications contact: Envirocare Labs Pvt Ltd- PT Cell M: 9167702413 | T: 022 6932 0142|Email: www.proficiencytesting.in