Environmental analysis in the Czech Republic: organisation of proficiency testing and its use in laboratory assessment

The history, origin, and development of a system for monitoring and assessi ng water and other environmental laboratories in the Czech Republic is desc ribed. The system started in 1991 and has matured to its present complexity with similarities to the accreditation systems found in other countries. D ifferences from internationally recognized procedures are being corrected s tep by step. During the first year of its existence ASLAB, as part of its b rief, organised proficiency testing (PT) programs for fifty laboratories. T oday the total number of regularly participating laboratories exceeds 700 f rom the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, and Germany. This paper descri bes the ASLAB PT system, discusses some experiences with its use, and descr ibes the use of PT results in assessment of the competence of laboratories.