The RfB is accredited as a proficiency testing provider (PTP) in accordance with ISO 17043:2010. This international standard specifies the requirements for the organisation, performance and evaluation of EQA-Schemes.
The accreditation by the German Accreditation Body (DAkkS) confirms the independence, transparency and technical competence of the RfB in the provision and evaluation of EQA programmes. The results of the EQA-Scheme are internationally recognised and conform to the requirements of many standards, including ISO 15189 and ISO 17025.
This enables the RfB to support national EQA-Scheme programmes and healthcare systems as a strategic scientific partner in the field of external quality assurance. In doing so, the RfB can develop, modify and supplement structures and thus improve the quality of laboratory medicine and diagnostics at national and international level. As a reference institute, the RfB works according to internationally recognised metrological principles and supports the traceability of analytical measurements to national and international standards (e.g. NIST, BIPM, IRMM).
In its function as a reference facility, it contributes to the definition of target and reference values based on primary methods (e.g. ID-MS, gravimetric methods). This scientific expertise provides the basis for harmonisation between laboratories worldwide.
RfB contributes to this through:
- Provision of reference-based EQA-Schemes with scientifically sound target values
- Promoting international comparability between countries and regions
- Support in aligning with global standards and harmonisation projects
- Provision of long-term data for sustainable quality assurance and trend analyses
- Strengthening national laboratory quality infrastructures through reference expertise – without replacing local EQA-Scheme providers
The RfB also contributes to global harmonisation in laboratory quality assessment through international participation and cooperation with professional associations, the exchange with reference laboratories, for example also and especially in connection with the EQA-Scheme and metrological institutes.
In this way, the Institute supports the implementation of WHO and IFCC goals for the standardisation of laboratory diagnostics and ultimately also helps to improve patient care.
