Internal Audit and Proficiency Testing Plan, September to December 2026

Purpose. Schedules the internal audits, proficiency testing rounds, equipment calibrations and the management review for the last four months of 2026 ahead of the accreditation reassessment in February 2027.

1.Context

The accreditation body will conduct a full reassessment of the laboratory in February 2027. This plan ensures every section and every clause of the standard is audited before then, that proficiency testing performance is current for every accredited method group, and that overdue calibrations and open nonconformances are closed. Progress is reported at the monthly quality meeting.

2.Internal audit schedule

Audits are conducted by trained auditors independent of the section. Each audit traces at least two samples end to end and examines records since the previous audit. Reports are issued within five working days and findings are entered in the nonconformance register.

• 15 September: Sample Reception and Logistics, receipt and holding times
• 6 October: Analytical Chemistry, metals and quality control
• 20 October: Microbiology, media preparation and aseptic technique
• 3 November: Construction Materials, compression testing and calibration
• 17 November: Field Services, sampling and chain of custody
• 1 December: Quality and Client Services, document control and reporting

3.Proficiency testing

The laboratory will participate in the water chemistry, water microbiology, food microbiology, soils and concrete proficiency rounds scheduled between September and November. Results outside the acceptance limits must be investigated as nonconformances within ten working days of the report being received.

4.Calibration and equipment

The compression machines, reference masses and reference thermometers are due for external calibration in October. Fume cupboards and biosafety cabinets will be tested in November. The Quality Manager will confirm every register entry has a current certificate by 11 December.

5.Nonconformance closure

All nonconformances open for more than 60 days at 1 September must be closed or have a documented reason by 30 November. Section managers will report progress fortnightly.

6.Management review

Management review will be held on 9 December 2026 and will consider audit results, proficiency testing, nonconformance trends, client feedback, resource needs and the objectives for 2027. The Quality Manager will circulate the input pack one week before.