Pan-African cement proficiency testing scheme
The German BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing in collaboration with the German Metrology Institute (PTB) are organizing an Africa-wide proficiency testing scheme for the year 2014 on the testing of cement. The Pan-African Cement Proficiency Testing Scheme (PACE-PTS) is the second Africa-wide proficiency testing scheme after a first transaction in 2012/2013, where 26 private and public construction materials testing laboratories from 20 African nations were registered.
The testing program comprises testing of the major chemical and physical properties of cement. Testing is conducted according to EN 196. The PACE-PTS is open for private and public laboratories in Africa and the registration is open until 15.03.2014. Testing the quality of cement is an important task in order to ensure the safety of constructions. Many laboratories in Africa are specialised on the performance of the necessary chemical and physical tests. Participation in proficiency testing schemes helps in assuring a steady quality of testing as it provides a tool of self-assessment against pre-established criteria and by giving a tool for a neutral inter-laboratory comparison. Furthermore, participation in a proficiency testing scheme helps in proving a laboratory’s competence to customers. Participation in proficiency tests is furthermore a precondition for accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025.
The PACE-PTS combines the tool of a proficiency testing scheme with networking and training activities in Africa. Besides the statistical analysis of the delivered testing results, a final workshop will be organised for all participants in order to discuss the results and the way forward. Within the scope of the workshop also training activities will take place. These are financially supported for public laboratories within the framework of the German Development Cooperation.
Further information can be found under
http://www.bam.de/en/kompetenzen/fachabteilungen/abteilung_7/fb74/pacepts_2014.htm
Registration can be made via cement-pt@bam.de.
