Proficiency Testing: 5 Additional A2LA Accreditations and New Cetane Program

ASTM International is rolling out a new proficiency testing program (PTP) to helps labs accurately test the combustion speed of diesel fuel and the compression it needs to ignite (cetane). This will help labs meet accreditation requirements – and ultimately enhance the quality of diesel fuels – by providing data that shows how their performance of test methods compares with others. Participating labs receive stable/homogenous diesel fuel test samples, test instructions and data report forms. Labs will be able to measure cetane number (D613), derived cetane numbers (D6890, D7170, D7668), and other diesel fuel quality properties. The first cycle is in October, with more in February and June. Register at www.astm.org/cetane.

ASTM International gained additional accreditations from the globally-recognized American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) for five PTP programs: biodiesel, base oil, hydraulic fluids and oils, lubricating greases, and reformulated gasoline.  (This is in addition to six programs accredited earlier this year: automatic transmission fluid, engine oil lubricants, fuel ethanol, gear oil, industrial gear oil, and petroleum wax.) A2LA-accredited programs are assessed against criteria from “Conformity Assessment – General Requirements for Proficiency Testing” (ISO/IEC 17043:2010). About 5,000 labs use statistical quality assurance tools in ASTM International PTP programs. More information: www.astm.org/ptp.