1) History & Detail functions of the section / division

The Proficiency Testing Provider (PTP NMIP) is a division of National Metrology Institute of Pakistan (NMIP). It was established as PTP NPSL in 2014 as a result of PSDP costing Rs. 54.63 million. The launch ceremony of PTP NPSL proficiency testing schemes took place on January 16, 2014 with the support of the European Union (EU) funded TRTA II program. PTP NMIP plans and operates proficiency testing (PT) schemes in compliance with the requirements of the international standards ISO/IEC 17043 (Conformity assessment– General requirements for proficiency testing) and ISO 13528 (Statistical methods for use in proficiency testing by interlaboratory comparison). The main purpose of PT schemes is to provide voluntary assessment of performance of testing and calibration laboratories. this context, and in accordance with the requirements of ISO/IEC17043, the PTP NMIP undertakes the design, production and dispatch of homogeneous and stable PT items according to a predefined schedule, and performs performance evaluation and reporting of results to the participants. PTP NMIP is the first public sector PT provider in Pakistan, accredited by Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC), providing PT schemes of Microbiological analysis, Chemical analysis, and Measurement and calibration. A well-equipped and fully functional Microbiology laboratory is also a part of PTP NMIP, which is providing Microbiological analysis services to public and private sector customers all over the Pakistan for water, food and enviroment.PTP NMIP also provides training on ISO/IES 17043, ISO 13528 as well as practical training of Microbiological analysis of water, foods and other items.

2) Accredited / non-accredited scope

Chemical Analysis Scheme:

i) pH

ii) Electrical conductivity (EC)

iii) Total dissolved solids (TDS)

iv) Total suspended solids (TSS)

v) Total hardness

vi) Total alkalinity

vii) Calcium (Ca2+)

viii) Chloride (Cl-)

Metals in water and wastewater:

i) Aluminium (Al)

ii) Calcium (Ca)

iii) Cadmium (Cd)

iv) Cobalt (Co)

v) Chromium (Cr)

vi) Copper (Cu)

vii) Iron (Fe)

viii) Potassium (K)

ix) Magnesium (Mg)

x) Manganese (Mn)

xi) Sodium (Na)

xii) Nickel (Ni)

xiii) Lead (Pb)

xiv) Zinc (Zn)

Wastewater analysis:

i) Chemical oxygen demand (COD)

ii) Total dissolved solids (TDS)

iii) pH

iv) Chloride (Cl-)

Microbiological Analysis Scheme:

Water Microbiology:

i) Aerobic Plate Count

ii) Heterotrophic Colony Count at 35 ± 1 °C

iii) Heterotrophic Colony Count at 23.5 ± 1.5 °C

iv) Detection of Total Coliforms

v) Enumeration of Total Coliforms

vi) Detection of Fecal Coliforms

vii) Enumeration of Fecal Coliforms

viii) Detection of E. coli

ix) Enumeration of E. coli

x) Detection of Salmonella spp.

xi) Enumeration of Salmonella spp.

xii) Detection of Staphylococcus aureus/spp.

xiii) Enumeration of Staphylococcus aureus/spp.

xiv) Detection of Enterococcus faecalis/spp.

xv) Enumeration of Enterococcus faecalis/spp.

xvi) Detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa/spp.

xvii) Enumeration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa /spp.

xviii)Detection of Enterobacteriaceae

xix) Enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae

Water Microbiology:

i) Aerobic Plate Count

ii) Detection of Total Coliforms

iii) Enumeration of Total Coliforms

iv) Detection of Fecal Coliforms

v) Enumeration of Fecal Coliforms

vi) Detection of E. coli

vii) Enumeration of E. coli

viii) Detection of Yeast

ix) Enumeration of Yeast

x) Detection of Mold

xi) Enumeration of Mold

xii) Detection of Enterobacteriaceae

xiii) Enumeration of Enterobacteriaceae

Measurement and Calibration Scheme:

Calibration of standard masses
Calibration of liquid-in-glass thermometers
Calibration of micropipettes

3) Metrological Traceability Mechanism along with Record

Assigned value is traceable when certified reference material (CRM) is used. However, when consensus value derived from the participant’s result are used, this value is not traceable.

5) Achievements of the section / division and individuals if any

To date, PTP NMIP has completed 47 PT rounds (29 in Microbiological analysis scheme, 17 in Chemical analysis scheme, and one in Measurement and Calibration scheme). Currently, six PT rounds in various schemes are in progress. PTP NMIP is the first public sector PT provider in Pakistan and has been accredited by the Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC) since 2016. PTP NMIP has carried out training on ISO/IEC 17043 as well as internship programs for university students. To date, 275 samples from public and private sector customers have been analyzed in the Microbiology laboratory, the majority of which are intended for export.

6) Budget / Manpower detail / Technical competence of personnel (All Division / QMS / Administration)

Currently, PTP NMIP has six authorized personnel. Officers are highly qualified and have received training from international PT providers such as LGC UK and NFI Thailand, as well as renowned experts from the USA, Sri Lanka and Norway

7) Future strategy / objectives / way-forward

PTP NMIP plans to further improve its accredited scope by including more parameters, especially in measurement and calibration scheme. New PT schemes such as pharmaceutical analysis will soon be initiated. Similarly, in Microbiology laboratory, more parameters will be included.

8) Design & Development Projects / R & D planning

In Progress

9) QMS & Technical Training prospects

Previously, PTP NMIP has carried out training on ISO/IEC 17043. Other technical trainings are planned and will be delivered in the coming years.

10) Opportunity for internships / young scientist / students of R & D Universities (MoU etc.....)

In Progress

11) Latest customer related QMS forms i.e Job contact / Complaint / latest Feedback form any other (QMS Office / CSS Only)

In Progress