The EQAT scheme is divided into 9 phases, the status of which can be viewed on-line on our website. With the announcement of the EQAT scheme, the planned time schedule is communicated to the participants.
We start with the preparation, especially with the planning of the time schedule, the provision of resources and the coordination with the subcontractors. Once the planning is complete, the EQAT scheme is announced and the registration form is activated.
The registration form is activated for a fixed period and interested laboratories can register. At the end of the registration period, invoices will be issued and sent to the participants.
After the number of participants has been determined, the production of the reference counting chambers is commissioned, the algae for the plankton samples are cultivated, the plankton samples and the video clips are produced. This time period cannot always be narrowed down exactly. Cultivated algae may not grow as fast as expected and the homogeneity test after filling the samples does not always deliver the desired results. These uncertainties may mean that processes have to be repeated. In any case, participants are informed in time.
After successful completion of the quality check, the samples are packed and sent to the participants. The participants will be informed about the exact shipping date and the expected delivery.
Once all participants have received their samples (reference counting chamber and plankton sample), the participants can start to enter their results in the on-line forms. The video clips of component 3 will be made available on the website.
When the analysis phase is completed, all on-line forms are closed and we start evaluating the results. At first, we compile the results, create tables and graphs without evaluation. These results are made available to the participants for them to compare their results with those of the other participants very quickly after the analysis. They will not be able to change any of the results.
In the second step of the evaluation, the results are assessed with the described statistical procedures. The certificates with the evaluations are made available to the participants online as a download.
In this phase, a further evaluation of the results takes place. In this way, we want to support the participants in further improving the quality of their phytoplankton analysis.
After completion of the report, it is made available on the website as a download. This changes the status of the EQAT scheme to "Finalised".
