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Proficiency Testing

Proficiency Testing (PT) is a vital part of laboratory quality assurance, designed to evaluate a lab’s analytical performance through interlaboratory comparisons, as defined by ISO/IEC 17043. It provides independent verification of a laboratory’s competence, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of test results, essential for maintaining customer trust, regulatory compliance and accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025.

Why is Proficiency Testing Important?

Accurate test results are critical for protecting public health, building customer confidence, and supporting regulatory compliance. Regular participation in PT schemes helps laboratories:
• Demonstrate technical competence to customers, regulators and accreditation bodies
• Identify areas for improvement and strengthen quality assurance systems
• Minimize the risk of errors, reputational damage and regulatory penalties
• Build confidence in their testing processes and analytical procedures

Brown chickens, hens in farm.
milk
Glass bowl of flour on blue background
water
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How Does a Proficiency Testing Scheme Work?

PT schemes work by sending identical test samples to multiple participating laboratories for independent analysis. Each lab performs the analysis as part of its routine operations and submits the results to the PT provider. The provider then evaluates each lab’s performance against established criteria, providing confidential feedback to help labs improve and maintain high standards.

Why Join our Proficiency Testing Scheme?

The Scheme is designed to raise the standard of laboratory testing within the region, promoting reliable and comparable results across borders. By participating, your lab can demonstrate its commitment to quality, gain a competitive edge in regional and international trade and contribute to a stronger, more trusted testing network.
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NOFieldProtocol/ ProgrammePT Item/ ArtefactParameterMeasurement CapabilityLocation
1Food ChemistryQuality in Food Chemistry PT Programme
(TES/FOO/PT/01)
Wheat FlourMoisture, crude protein, crude fat, total ash, crude fibre, fat acidity, gluten, vitamin A as retinol, copper, iron, zincQuantitativeKEBS-Food Laboratory, Nairobi
2Food ChemistryQuality in Food Chemistry PT Programme
(TES/FOO/PT/01)
Maize FlourMoisture, crude protein, crude fat, total ash, crude fibre, fat acidity, vitamin A as retinol, copper, iron, zincQuantitativeKEBS-Food Laboratory, Nairobi
3Food ChemistryQuality in Food Chemistry PT Programme
(TES/FOO/PT/01)
Maize FlourAflatoxin B1, B2, G1, G2 and total, fumonisinsQuantitativeKEBS-Food Laboratory, Nairobi
4Food ChemistryQuality in Feeds PT Programme
(TES/AGR/PT/01)
Animal FeedsMoisture content, crude protein, crude fat, total ash, crude fibre, acid insoluble ash, calcium, phosphorus, zincQuantitativeKEBS-Agriculture Laboratory, Nairobi
5Food ChemistryQuality in Food Chemistry PT Programme
(TES/FOO/PT/01)
Milk UHTMilk fat, density at 20oC, protein, total solids, titratable acidity as lactic acid, freezing point depression, pH, pH variation, aflatoxin M1, calcium, lactoseQuantitativeKEBS-Food Laboratory, Nairobi
6Food ChemistryQuality in Food Chemistry PT Programme
(TES/AGR/PT/01)
Black TeaMoisture content, water extracts, total ash, water soluble ash as % total ash, alkalinity of water-soluble ash as KOH, acid insoluble ash, crude fibre, total polyphenols, total catechins, iron, copper, zinc, arsenic, calciumQuantitative
7MicrobiologyQuality in Food Microbiology PT Programme
(TES/MIC/PT/01)
Black Tea Total viable count, Coliforms,
Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Yeast, Moulds, Yeasts and Moulds,
QuantitativeKEBS-Agriculture Laboratory, Nairobi
SalmonellaQualitative
8MicrobiologyQuality in Food Microbiology PT Programme
(TES/MIC/PT/01)
Skim Milk powderTotal Viable Count, Coliforms, Escherichia coli, Coagulase positive Staphylococci, Listeria monocytogenes, Quantitative KEBS – Microbiology Laboratory, Nairobi.
Listeria species,
Salmonella species.
Qualitative
9Microbiology Microbiology PT Programme
(TES/MIC/PT/01)
Meat and Fish ChunksTotal Viable Count, Coliforms, Escherichia coli, Coagulase positive Staphylococci, Listeria monocytogenes,
Listeria species
Salmonella species.
QuantitativeKEBS – Microbiology Laboratory, Nairobi.
Listeria species
Salmonella species.
Qualitative
10MicrobiologyQuality in Portable/Drinking Water Microbiology PT Programme
(TES/MIC/PT/02)
Drinking WaterTotal Coliforms, Faecal Coliforms, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella spp., Total Viable Count @ 37°C, Total Viable Count @22°CFaecal Coliforms
Escherichia coli
Salmonella spp.
Quantitative KEBS – Microbiology Laboratory, Nairobi.
Faecal Coliforms
Escherichia coli
Salmonella spp.
Qualitative
11ChemistryQuality in Food Chemistry PT Programme
(TES/ING/PT/02)

Drinking Water
Ground Water
Sulphate, chloride, fluoride, nitrates, phosphates, total dissolved solids, conductivity, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, manganese, aluminium, lead, copper, zinc, chromium, nickel, arsenic, cadmium, cobalt QuantitativeKEBS Inorganic Chemistry Laboratories, Nairobi
12ChemistryWater Quality PT Programme
(TES/ING/PT/02)
WastewaterpH, total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, turbidity, biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demandQuantitativeKEBS – Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Nairobi
13Physical ChemistryPaint Quality PT programme
(TES/POL/PT/01)
Emulsion Paint
Gloss paint
Total Solids, pH, OpacityQuantitativeKEBS – Polymer Laboratory, Nairobi
14ChemistryPaint Quality PT programme
(TES/ING/PT/03)
Emulsion Paint
Gloss paint
LeadQuantitativeKEBS – Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Nairobi
15TextilesWoven Fabric quality PT Program
(TES/TEX/PT/01)
Woven FabricBreaking strength and elongation (strip method), Tear force tongue-shaped, Tear force ballistic pendulum, dimensional changes induced by cold-water immersion,
mass per unit area/length, Fabric width, Construction (threads per unit length), Fibre composition and proportion
QuantitativeKEBS – Textile Laboratory, Nairobi.
Color fastness to washing with soap or soap and soda, Colour fastness to rubbing, Colour fastness to perspirationQualitative
16PhysicalLeather Quality PT Programme
(TES/POL/PT/02)


LeatherTensile Strength, Elongation,
Shear at Break

QualitativeKEBS – Polymer Laboratory, Nairobi.
17ChemistrySoil Quality PT Programme
(TES/ING/PT/04)

Agricultural Soil (Loam)
Contaminated soil
pH, electrical conductivity, zinc, iron, manganese, copper, calcium, magnesium, potassium, Sulphur, sodium, boron, molybdenumQuantitativeKEBS – Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Nairobi
18ChemistrySpirit-based Alcoholic Beverages Quality PT programme
(TES/ORG/PT/01)
Alcohol in Aqueous MediaEthanol, Methanol, n-Propanol, Amyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol (IPA), Ethylacetate, Acetic acid, Furfural.QuantitativeKEBS – Organic Laboratory, Nairobi.
19Food ChemistryBeer Quality PT programme
(TES/ORG/PT/02)

BeerEthanol, total acidity as tartaric acid, volatile acidity as acetic acid, total solids, brix, specific gravity and total sugars.QuantitativeKEBS – Organic Laboratory, Nairobi.
20PetroleumPetroleum Products Quality PT programme
(TES/ORG/PT/03)
AGO (Diesel)Density at 15°C and 20°C, Flashpoint, Distillation range, Viscosity at 40°C, Cetane Index, ASTM Colour.QuantitativeKEBS – Organic Laboratory, Nairobi.
21PhysicalCement Quality PT programme
(TES/CIV/PT/01)
Ordinary Portland CementCompressive strength
Setting time
Soundness
QuantitativeKEBS – Civil Laboratory, Nairobi.
22ChemistryCement Quality PT programme
(TES/ING/PT/05)
Ordinary Portland Cement
Portland Pozzolana Cement
Loss on ignition
Insoluble residue
Chloride content
Sulphate content
QuantitativeKEBS – Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Nairobi
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