UK NEQAS services are designed principally for UK public and private sector clinical laboratories serving clinicians and patients. Non-UK clinical laboratories, those with purely research or industrial roles, manufacturers of diagnostic instruments and reagents, and other laboratories are also welcome to participate. Manufacturers may do so on an 'information only' basis, i.e. receiving samples and returning results.
Registration (laboratories new to Scheme)
New registrations are accepted throughout the year. Full details of the laboratory are requested and, once the registration is approved, a user name and password)are issued. Laboratories also receive a unique laboratory code (80***) which remains associated with that participant and should be quoted in all correspondence with the Scheme Office. However, laboratories registering for UK NEQAS for Clinical Cytogenetics after the enrolement period (see EQA timetable) has closed may still be able to enrol for EQAs but will incur a 5% increase in fees.
EQA Timetable
In February each year the EQA timetable is published on the website listing all the EQAs available for the current year. Registered laboratories will be notified by email once the timetable is available online.
In February each year the EQA timetable is published on the website listing all the EQAs available for the current year. Registered laboratories will be notified by email once the timetable is available online.
EQA enrolment
From February to March/April each year registered laboratories can enrol in the EQAs they wish to participate in for the current year (exact dates are given on the EQA timetable). Invoicing for registration and EQA fees occurs after April 1st. Late EQA enrolments after the enrolemnt period has closed (see timetable) will incur a 5% surcharge.
From February to March/April each year registered laboratories can enrol in the EQAs they wish to participate in for the current year (exact dates are given on the EQA timetable). Invoicing for registration and EQA fees occurs after April 1st. Late EQA enrolments after the enrolemnt period has closed (see timetable) will incur a 5% surcharge.
Charges
EQA charges are based on the full costs of providing EQA services according to the not-for-profit terms of the UK NEQAS Code of Practice and are set annually in agreement with the Steering Committee. A list of charges is available under “EQA Timetable”. Pilot EQAs are free of charge.
Annual administration fee is charged to cover general administrative costs of the Scheme and is set at £110 for UK laboratories and £160 for non-UK laboratories.