External Proficiency Testing (EPT) is a mandatory component of the EFI accreditation process. The primary objective of the EFI EPT Committee (EPTC) is to harmonize EPT across laboratories that are accredited by or affiliated with EFI.
The aims of the EPT Committee are:
- Collects information on external proficiency testing schemes operational in H & I laboratories affiliated to EFI and works to ensure their homogeneity and comparability
- Is responsible for defining and revising EPT Standards for Laboratories
- Makes recommendations concerning the organisation of EPT schemes and provides help and advice to new EPT schemes when requested
- Defines and revises the Standards for Providers of EPT schemes in concordance with national and international standards
- Identifies regions lacking EPT schemes and develops strategies to serve these areas
The EFI EPTC reflects activities covered by EFI Standards. Therefore, the EPTC is currently restricted to addressing issues related to human histocompatibility testing.
Committee members
The members of the EFI EPTC serve as Regional EPT Coordinators. These Regional EPT Coordinators work closely with their respective Regional EFI Commissioners to ensure compliance with the EPT Standards. The EPT Coordinators are responsible for advising and supporting EFI-accredited laboratories, as well as those laboratories actively seeking EFI accreditation and EPT Organisers, in meeting these standards.
Region 1 - Scandinavia - Mats Alheim, Sweden
Region 2 - Benelux - Yvonne Zoet (Chair), the Netherlands
Region 3 - UK + Ireland - Amy De’ath, UK
Region 4 - Germany - Martin Bernheiden, Germany
Region 5 - Central Europe - Katarzyna Bogunia-Kubik, Poland
Region 6 + 11 - France + Switzerland - Valerie Dubois, France
Region 7 - Italy - Maria Chiara de Stefano, Italy
Region 8 - Balkans + Israel - Fatma Oguz, Türkiye
Region 9 + 10 - Iberia - María José Herrero Mata (Co-Chair), Spain
Region 99 - Outside Europe - Amy De’ath, UK
EFI Young Professionals Committee - Gorjan Milanovski, North Macedonia