Pilot EQA Programmes

Our pilot EQA programmes support laboratories participating in the evaluation of new and developing areas of laboratory testing through structured external quality assessment.

These emerging EQA schemes are designed to explore analytical performance, interpretation, and feasibility in areas where testing is evolving or not yet widely standardised. By taking part, laboratories contribute to the development of evidence, comparability, and best practice in specialist and rare testing areas.

Pilot programmes play an important role in early stage quality assurance, allowing laboratories to benchmark methods, identify sources of variation, and inform future scheme development before formal accreditation is achieved.

Alongside our EQA services, UK NEQAS IIA provides additional educational resources through the Digital Academy, including webinars, commentaries, and technical presentations that reinforce continued professional development in EQA programmes.

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

Programmes in this category

• Anti-TNF Drugs and Antibodies (TNFA (SER/065) / TNFI (SER/066))
  A pilot EQA programme supporting laboratories involved in the monitoring of anti-TNF therapies, including measurement of drug levels and detection of anti-drug antibodies.
  
  
• Immunoglobulin D (IgD) (SER/063)
  A pilot EQA programme designed to support laboratories measuring IgD to assist in the investigation of Hyper IgD syndrome (HIDS) and related conditions.
  
  
• Scleroderma Associated Antibodies (SER/064)
  An emerging EQA scheme focused on the detection and interpretation of antibodies associated with autoimmune scleroderma.

H2: The role of pilot programmes in quality assurance

Pilot EQA programmes provide a structured framework for assessing laboratory performance in areas where testing is still developing. They help identify analytical challenges, inform scheme design, and support collaboration between laboratories and EQA providers.

Participation in pilot schemes allows laboratories to:

• Contribute to the development of future accredited EQA programmes
• Benchmark performance in specialist or rare testing areas
• Support the evolution of quality assurance where standardisation is emerging

As schemes mature, findings from pilot participation help shape robust, clinically relevant EQA provision.

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