The SADCAS Proficiency Testing Accreditation Scheme (PTAS) was established in October 2024. It is a multi-disciplinary accreditation scheme operated in accordance with ISO/IEC 17043:2023- conformity assessment- General requirements for the competence of Proficiency Testing Providers.
Accreditation of Proficiency Scheme in accordance with ISO/IEC 17043:2023 is a means of demonstrating competence and safety to internal and external clients. Accreditation of PT schemes also demonstrates commitment to quality and compliance with international standards.
Areas of Accreditation:
1.Medical PT
2.Testing PT
3.Calibration PT
Accreditation Criteria:
Proficiency Testing facilities seeking to be accredited to the SADCAS PTAS need to comply with the International Standard ISO/IEC 17043:2023.
The Accreditation Process:
Proficiency Testing Providers wishing to be accredited must submit the following:
β’ Duly completed SADCAS F 43 (j): Application for accreditation of Proficiency Testing Providers;
β’ Quality manual and procedures;
β’ Duly completed SADCAS F 43 (f): Application for approval of personnel, i.e., Nominated Representatives, Scheme Manager(s) and Scheme Coordinator(s);
β’SADCAS F 44: SADCAS accreditation agreement;
β’ Upon receipt, SADCAS undertakes a completeness check of the application documents;
β’ SADCAS provides the applicant with a detailed quotation based on the scope of application. If acceptable, the applicant signs and returns a duly signed quotation to SADCAS for invoicing;
β’ Once payment for the application is received, SADCAS undertakes a documentation review of the applicantβs quality manual and provides a Document Review Report with feedback on gaps to be addressed before the application proceeds to the assessment stage;
β’Pre- assessments are optional but may be compulsory depending on the regulatorβs condition for acceptance where required. Pre-assessment is an on- site visit to check the applicants readiness for accreditation;
β’ An initial assessment of the organizationβs competence is undertaken on-site to verify competence and compliance with ISO/IEC 17043 standard, SADCAS requirements and other applicable requirements.
Assessors:
Assessors are experts drawn from a pool of technical experts from both public and private sectors as well as from professional technical institutions/associations in the SADC region who have been trained, qualified and registered as assessors. Assessors trained and qualified by other accreditation bodies and evaluated for competence can also undertake assessments on behalf of SADCAS.
An assessment is undertaken by an assessment team consisting of a Team Leader and at least one Technical Assessor/Technical Expert with expertise in the scope of the assessment. The assessment team makes recommendations for accreditation.
Accreditation decision is made by an independent Accreditation Approvals Committee based mainly on the information gathered during an assessment. The accreditation certificate is valid for 5 years and renewed subject to terms and conditions of the PTAS.
Accreditation Documents:
SADCAS accreditation documents are available from the SADCAS website www.sadcas.org
Accreditation Fees:
SADCAS accreditation fees are contained in SADCAS AP 02: SADCAS service fees. The fees contained therein are estimates. Individual quotations are provided based on the scope applied for. SADCAS accreditation fees are reviewed annually.
For further information on the SADCAS Proficiency Testing Accreditation Scheme, please contact:
Southern African Development Community Accreditation Service
Plot 50369 Unit 3A, Second Floor,
Tholo Office Park, Fairgrounds,
Private Bag 00320
Gaborone, Botswana
Tel: +267 3132909/3132910
Email : info@sadcas.org; vgungoa@sadcas.org
Website : www.sadcas.org
