Dear all interested in the external quality assessment scheme 2026,
Please find below some important information regarding the schedule:
- Registration is now open and will close on May 31st 2026. Here you will find the registration form
Registration PT2026, which must be completed and returned to
- Please note that the registration does not yet include a cost estimate. Due to the individualized nature of the EQA scheme, we can only provide cost details after registration, once aspects such as the type of collection tubes, aliquot sizes, and shipping requirements have been clarified with each participant.
- The estimated cost per participant is approximately €1,500–1,800 (excluding the return shipment of the samples from your institution to Jena on dry ice). Unfortunately, costs have increased due to the expiration of dedicated funding for personnel, which must now be covered by the scheme.
The number of participants is limited to 25, but has to exceed at least 15. Detailed documentation (including SOPs and a checklist) will be provided after the registration period ends.
An introductory webinar for all registered participants will be held in due course after the registration period has ended. The exact date will be announced later. The start of the Proficiency Test is currently still under discussion and will be communicated once confirmed.
Module 1: Testing Plasma Aliquot Homogeneity by Platelet Quantification
This module assesses the homogeneity of plasma aliquots prepared following centrifugation of EDTA whole blood. Participating biobanks receive standardized blood samples and prepare multiple plasma aliquots from each specimen. Platelet counts are then determined in the individual aliquots. Platelet concentration serves as an indirect marker of both centrifugation quality and the degree of care applied during aliquoting.
Incomplete separation of blood components—for example due to insufficient centrifugation time, inadequate acceleration, or careless aspiration—may result in carryover of platelets into the plasma fraction. As these platelets are not removed during freezing, their concentration remains stable and may therefore indicate contamination by cellular components.
Such inhomogeneities may introduce undesirable variability into subsequent molecular biological analyses, for example through the uneven release of intracellular constituents. This module therefore provides an important means of evaluating process quality and ensuring consistent sample purity.
Module 2: Testing Volume Accuracy of Plasma Aliquots
Module 2 evaluates the precision and accuracy of plasma aliquot volume measurement. To this end, participants pipette defined volumes either manually using air-displacement pipettes or automatically using pipetting robots. The aliquots are subsequently analyzed gravimetrically; that is, the tubes are weighed before and after plasma transfer under controlled laboratory conditions. The actual volume is then calculated based on plasma density.
The aim of this module is to detect differences in dispensed volumes that may arise as a function of the pipetting system, calibration status, or operator handling. In downstream applications requiring exact input volumes, inaccurate aliquoting may result in substantial deviations. The findings provide insight into the performance of both manual and automated systems and support further process standardization within participating biobanks.
Module 3: Verification of entry control and associated documentation
This module evaluates the quality and traceability of the entry control of biospecimens as well as the associated documentation at the receiving biobank. In addition to the actual test specimens, participating institutions are provided with defined “test samples” whose pre-analytical condition has been deliberately varied. Biobanks are expected to identify and document deviations in accordance with their own standard operating procedures (SOPs).
The aim is to assess the ability to identify potential quality deficiencies at an early stage during sample receipt. Complete and traceable incoming inspection is a key prerequisite for quality assurance in biobanking and forms the basis for reliable downstream analyses. The module raises awareness of critical control points in the intake process and supports the implementation of structured inspection routines.
Module 4: Assessment of shipping documentation and packaging of potentially infectious samples (UN3373) in accordance with ADR/IATA P650/PI650 and ISO 20387 requirements
This module evaluates the conformity of shipping packaging and documentation with the international requirements of ADR and IATA (packing instruction P650/PI650, UN3373). Each participating biobank submits a test shipment, which is assessed for compliance with the requirements for transporting potentially infectious samples.
Both the information in the shipping documents and the physical design of the packaging are evaluated. This module is essential for ensuring transport safety and sample integrity, as well as compliance with legal requirements
Module 5: Temperature monitoring during shipment on dry ice
Module 5 focuses on temperature control during the transport of biospecimens on dry ice. Although it is often assumed that a constant temperature prevails inside an insulated shipping box, studies have shown that the actual conditions can vary considerably depending on the type of box, the placement of the samples, the transport duration, and the ambient temperature.
For this reason, each biobank receives a pre-activated ultra-low temperature data logger, which records the temperature throughout the entire shipment. The loggers are placed alongside the samples in order to capture the actual temperature conditions. Upon arrival, the remaining amount of dry ice, the position of the samples in the box, and the internal temperature are also documented. The data obtained in this way help identify weaknesses in the shipping process that could lead to loss of quality—for example due to insufficient cooling, which may jeopardize the viability of sensitive cell fractions such as PBMCs.
Module 6: Detection of contamination by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR)
This new module expands the proficiency testing program by including the analysis of chemical contamination in plasma aliquots using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The aim is to identify contamination with alcohols such as isopropanol or ethanol that may have been unintentionally introduced during sample processing.
In previous proficiency tests, traces of isopropanol and ethanol had already been detected in samples—most likely caused by residues from cleaning or disinfecting agents or by insufficiently rinsed pipetting robots. Such contamination can distort analytical results and lead to misinterpretation, particularly in sensitive molecular biological procedures. By using NMR, even the smallest amounts of such substances can be reliably detected. This module therefore strengthens awareness of environmental conditions and the selection of suitable reagents and consumables in biobank practice.
Module 7: Verification of the sample certificate in accordance with ISO 20387 and DIN/TS 13283 (optional)
For detailed information, please check out the BBMRI.QM Newsroom presentation:
BBMRI.QM Newsroom: Proficiency Testing in Liquid Biobanking – A versatile tool for the identification of variations in process and sample quality
If you have any questions or need further information, don’t hesitate and contact me.
