Immunochemistry EQA Programmes - Accredited to ISO 17043

Our Immunochemistry EQA programmes support laboratories in assessing, comparing, and improving performance across a wide range of immunochemical tests used in clinical diagnostics, accredited to ISO 17043.

These schemes strengthen quality assurance in areas such as inflammatory markers, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, complement pathways, and tumour marker–related investigations, helping laboratories maintain accuracy, meet accreditation standards, and ensure confidence in patient results.

For those seeking to understand what immunochemistry is or what an immunochemistry test involves, these programmes cover many of the core assays used to evaluate immune function, inflammation, infection, neurological disease, and protein abnormalities.

Alongside our EQA services, here at UK NEQAS IIA we offer further educational support through the Digital Academy, offering commentaries, webinars, and technical presentations that reinforce continual professional development.

All Immunochemistry EQA programmes listed below are administered by UK NEQAS for Immunology, Immunochemistry & Allergy (UK NEQAS IIA) and are available to national and international participants.

EQA Programmes in this Category

• Alpha 1 Antitrypsin Phenotype Identification (SER/037)
  Assessment of AAT quantitation and phenotype identification to support diagnosis of AAT deficiency, COPD, emphysema, and associated liver disease.
  
  
• Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Isoenzymes (SER/056)
  Evaluation of ALP isoenzyme identification to support investigation of raised ALP and differentiation of hepatic, bone, and other sources.
  
  
• Beta 2 Microglobulin (SER/013)
  EQA for accurate β2-microglobulin measurement, supporting monitoring of B-cell malignancies and renal conditions.
  
  
• C1 Inhibitor & Functional Complement (SER/033)
  Assessment of C1 inhibitor and complement activity measurement, supporting accurate investigation of hereditary angioedema and complement pathway disorders.
  
  
• C-Reactive Protein (SER/014)
  Evaluation of CRP measurement accuracy, supporting monitoring of inflammation, sepsis, and infection severity.
  
  
• CSF Beta 2 Transferrin & Beta Trace Protein (SER/046)
  Assessment of β2-transferrin and β-trace protein testing, supporting confirmation of cerebrospinal fluid leakage in suspected rhinorrhoea or otorrhoea.
  
  
• CSF Haem Pigments (SER/042)
  Evaluation of haem pigment identification and bilirubin/oxyhaemoglobin quantitation to support accurate investigation of suspected subarachnoid haemorrhage.
  
  
• CSF Oligoclonal Bands (SER/015)
  EQA for oligoclonal band detection in CSF, supporting reliable assessment in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and related neurological disease.
  
  
• CSF Proteins & Biochemistry (SER/041)
  Assessment of CSF protein, albumin, IgG, glucose and lactate measurement, supporting biochemical evaluation in neurological conditions.
  
  
• Interleukin-6 (SER/060)
  Evaluation of IL-6 measurement accuracy, supporting consistent monitoring of inflammatory responses and immune dysregulation.
  
  
• Procalcitonin (SER/061)
  PCT measurement accuracy, supporting monitoring of inflammation, sepsis, and infection severity.
  
  
• Ultrasensitive CRP (uCRP) (SER/028)
  Assessment of ultrasensitive CRP measurement used in neonatal infection screening and cardiovascular risk assessment.

How Participation in Immunochemistry EQA Programmes Supports Quality Testing

Taking part in these programmes enables laboratories to:

• Benchmark protein and marker-specific performance by comparing results for individual assays against peer laboratories using the same or comparable methods in the UK and internationally.
• Strengthen understanding of what immunochemistry tests measure and how they support diagnosis.
• Support ISO 15189 accreditation and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain analytical accuracy across a broad range of immunochemical markers.
• Access expert educational materials through the Digital Academy.

Register for an Immunochemistry EQA Programme Today

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

Immunochemistry EQA FAQs

What is Immunochemistry in Clinical Laboratory Testing?

Immunochemistry in clinical laboratory testing is the study and measurement of immunological proteins in body fluids, such as serum, urine and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Laboratories use a range of techniques and immunoassay methods to identify and quantify proteins associated with inflammation, immune function, neurological disease and tumour markers. 

An immunochemistry test typically measures one or more of these proteins to support diagnosis and the investigation of specific clinical questions about a patient’s health.

What is the Difference Between Immunochemistry and Immunohistochemistry?

Immunochemistry and immunohistochemistry are related but distinct disciplines. Immunochemistry measures immunological proteins in liquid samples such as serum, urine, and CSF, whereas immunohistochemistry detects specific proteins in tissue samples. 

Despite similarities, they differ in sample type, techniques used, and clinical application, meaning they require different EQA schemes.

What is an Immunochemistry EQA?

Immunochemistry EQA is a type of proficiency testing specific to immunochemical assays, comparing a laboratory's immunochemistry test results against the results of other participating laboratories. This helps laboratories work towards proficiency testing evidence for ISO 15189 accreditation. 

What is the Difference Between Immunochemistry EQA and Internal Quality Control (IQC)?

Internal quality control is carried out by the laboratory itself, using control materials tested alongside patient samples to monitor day-to-day assay stability in real time. An immunochemistry EQA is provided independently by a third party, such as UK NEQAS IIA, and compares performance against other participating laboratories. 

IQC identifies issues within a single laboratory, whereas EQA provides comparative assurance against laboratories around the world. 

Find out more about the difference between IQC and EQA.

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

Our immunochemistry EQA programmes cover: 

• Inflammatory and infection markers: CRP, ultrasensitive CRP, procalcitonin, and IL-6.
• Complement pathway disorders: C1 inhibitor and functional complement.
• B-cell and renal monitoring markers: beta 2 microglobulin.
• CSF-specific analyses: beta 2 transferrin and beta trace protein, haem pigments, oligoclonal bands, CSF proteins and biochemistry.
• Enzyme and phenotype assessments: alpha 1 antitrypsin phenotype identification, ALP isoenzymes.

How Often are Immunochemistry EQA Samples Distributed?

The distribution of immunochemistry EQA samples is different depending on the programme. For more information about sample distribution and return dates, visit our distribution schedule page.

Can International Laboratories Participate in these Immunochemistry EQA Programmes?

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

How Do I Register for an Immunochemistry EQA Scheme?

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