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Autoimmunity EQA Programmes - Accredited to ISO 17043

Our Autoimmunity EQA programmes provide laboratories with the opportunity to assess, compare and improve performance in the detection and measurement of autoantibodies, accredited to ISO 17043.

These schemes support UK proficiency testing and quality assurance in autoimmunity, helping laboratories maintain confidence in results, meet accreditation standards, and demonstrate competence to regulators and peers.

For those looking to understand what an autoimmunity test involves, our programmes provide proficiency testing for many of the core assays used to evaluate connective tissue disease, vasculitis, coeliac disease, autoimmune liver and thyroid disease, and related neurological and dermatological conditions. 

Alongside our EQA services, UK NEQAS IIA provides a range of autoimmunity educational resources through the Digital Academy, including webinars, commentaries, and technical presentations that support continued professional development in autoimmunity testing.

All Autoimmunity EQA schemes below are administered by UK NEQAS for Immunology, Immunochemistry & Allergy (UK NEQAS IIA) and are open to national and international participants.

EQA Programmes in this Category

How Participation in Autoimmunity EQA Programmes Supports Quality Testing

Participating in UK NEQAS IIA Autoimmunity EQA schemes allows laboratories to:

  • Benchmark autoantibody performance by comparing results against peer institutions using the same or comparable methods, in the UK and internationally.
  • Demonstrate competence for UKAS and other regulatory bodies, supporting continued accreditation.
  • Support ISO 15189 accreditation and regulatory compliance. 
  • Identify areas for improvement through educational feedback reports issued after each distribution.
  • Maintain high standards of analytical and interpretative performance across a broad range of autoantibody assays.
  • Access expert autoimmunity educational resources through the Digital Academy.

Register for an Autoimmunity EQA Programme Today

Don’t hesitate to contact us for further information about our Autoimmunity EQA programmes, and register here today.

Autoimmunity EQA FAQs

What is an Autoimmunity EQA?

An Autoimmunity EQA is a type of proficiency testing specific to autoantibody and autoimmune serology assays. They compare a laboratory’s results against the results of other participating laboratories. This helps laboratories work towards and maintain ISO 15189 accreditation and supports confidence in the detection and measurement of autoantibodies linked to a wide range of autoimmune, inflammatory, and neurological conditions. 

What is the Difference Between Autoimmunity EQAs and Internal Quality Control (IQC)?

Internal quality control (IQC) is run by a laboratory itself, using control materials tested alongside patient samples to monitor day-to-day assay stability in real time. 

Autoimmunity EQAs are provided independently by a third party, such as UK NEQAS IIA, and compare a laboratory’s performance against other participants using the same or similar methods. 

Where IQC flags issues specific to a single laboratory's testing process, EQA provides broader comparative assurance against laboratories testing the same autoimmunity analytes around the world.

Find out more about the difference between IQC and EQA.

Which Assays and Analytes are Covered by UK NEQAS IIA’s Autoimmunity EQA Programmes?

Our autoimmunity EQA programmes cover:

  • Connective tissue and rheumatological antibodies: ANA, DNA and ENA antibodies, rheumatoid antibodies, anti-phospholipid antibodies, and myositis-associated antibodies.
  • Vasculitis and renal disease antibodies: ANCA and GBM antibodies, and phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibodies.
  • Gastrointestinal and hepatic antibodies: coeliac disease antibodies, and liver disease antibodies (including AMA, LKM and SMA).
  • Anaemia-related antibodies: gastric parietal cell antibodies to support investigation of autoimmune anaemia.
  • Endocrine antibodies: thyroid antibodies (TPO and TSH receptor), and diabetic markers supporting the clinical diagnosis of type I diabetes.
  • Neurological and neuromuscular antibodies: acetylcholine receptor antibody, ganglioside antibody, MAG antibodies, and paraneoplastic antibodies.
  • Dermatological antibodies: bullous dermatosis antibodies associated with blistering skin disease.
  • Other infection-related assays: interferon gamma release assays (IGRA) for tuberculosis screening, and COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing.

How Often are Autoimmunity EQA Samples Distributed?

Distribution frequency varies by EQA programme. For full details on sample distribution and return dates across individual autoimmunity schemes, visit our distribution schedule page.

Can International Laboratories Participate in these Autoimmunity EQA Programmes?

Yes. Our Autoimmunity EQA programmes are available to laboratories within the UK and internationally.

How Do I Register for an Autoimmunity EQA Scheme?

You can register for an autoimmunity programme here, or contact us for more information about which programmes are most relevant to your laboratory’s test portfolio.