Performance metrics for testing statistical calculations in interlaboratory comparisons

Interlaboratory comparisons are the most powerful tools for determining the competences of laboratories performing calibrations and testing. Performance metrics is based on statistical analysis, which can be very complex in certain cases, especially for testing where transfer standards (samples) are prepared by the pilot laboratory. Statistical quantities are calculated using different kinds of software, from simple Excel applications to universal or specific commercial programmes. In order to ensure proper quality of such calculations, it is very important that all computational links are recognized explicitly and known to be operating correctly. In order to introduce a traceability chain into metrology computation, the European project EMRP NEW 06 TraCIM was agreed between the EC and the European Metrology Association (EURAMET). One of the tasks of the project was also to establish random datasets and validation algorithms for verifying software applications in regard to evaluating interlaboratory comparison results. The statistical backgrounds for resolving this task, and the basic concept of the data generator are presented in this paper. Background normative documents, calculated statistical parameters, boundary conditions for generating reference data sets are described, as well as customer interface. © 2014 PEI, University of Maribor. All rights reserved.