Established in 1982, Analytical Products Group, Inc. (APG) is an international provider of proficiency testing and quality assurance services. Proficiency testing programs, often referred to as round robin tests or ring studies, establish the validity of a method, the competency of a laboratory, and defensibility of data when utilized on a continual basis. APG's mission is to provide world-class products and services to improve the quality of data. Since 1982, APG has conducted in excess of 400 round robin studies, and since 1999, APG has evaluated over 1,000,000 data points.

Accreditations and Registrations
APG is accredited by or registered with the following organizations:

• We are officially A2LA accredited. Click the link below to view our
  scope document from the A2LA website.
  (Certification Code 2430.01)
• The A2LA accreditation is granted to APG for the design, preparation,
  and operation of PT schemes that meet the requirements of ISO
  Guide 43-1:1997, ILAC G13:2000, EPA National Standards for Water
  Proficiency Testing Studies Criteria Document, and relevant sections
  of ISO Guide 34:2000, ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and 2003 NELAC Chapter
  2 and Chapter 5.
• DNV ISO 9001:2000 CERT-9513-2003-AQ-HOU-RAB
  Chinese National Laboratory Accreditation Certificate No: CNLA-01008P
  

Standard Proficiency Testing Programs
APG's standard proficiency testing programs include the following:

• Wastewater Analysis: This program contains 244 chemical parameters (analytes) and microbiology samples in concentration ranges consistent with USEPA guidelines. These studies are NELAC compliant.
• Drinking Water Analysis: The WS program contains 183 analytes and microbiology samples, as required by the Safe Drinking Water Act. These studies are NELAC compliant.
• DMRQA: The DMRQA program is a mandatory, annual program for NPDES permits holders. There are 29 analytes in this program as well as WETT samples.
• APGplus: This program contains 200 environmental analytes at concentrations that reflect realistic concentrations of pollutants in an industrial setting.
• Ohio VAP Performance Evaluation: The Ohio VAP program tests laboratories that support Ohio's "Brownfields" program. It occurs twice yearly and is mandatory for laboratories providing these services.
• West Virginia Proficiency Testing Program: APG provides the two level samples and data analysis for West Virginia to support its laboratory accreditation program. APG is the sole supplier to the state for this testing.
• PowerCheck Program: This industrial program contains 9 analytes that power stations routinely analyze to maintain cycle chemistry water and air pollution devices.
• MF&E Program: The MF&E program was designed around POTW permits issued to metal finishers and electroplaters. Eleven typical permit parameters are tested.

Customized Proficiency Testing Programs
APG's customized proficiency testing programs include the following:

• United Nations/GEMS 5 and 6: The GEMS program benchmarked over 80 worldwide laboratories on water analysis. APG managed this multilingual benchmark study during the GEMS 5 and 6 programs.
• General Motors Corporate Program: General Motors uses APG to ensure all laboratories they use for environmental analysis not only meet the minimum requirements of accreditation, but that they produce defensible data.
• IMS Laboratory Proficiency Testing: A round robin was conducted in conjunction with the IPC to evaluate the competency of chemical laboratories used by the printed circuit industry to ensure environmental compliance.

Additional Expertise
APG also has experience with the following products:

• Double Blind Samples: Double Blind samples are Proficiency Testing samples that are provided to the laboratory without their knowledge. These samples test not only the analytical capability of the laboratory but also the laboratory's processes, from sample receipt to issuance of report.
• Calibration Standards: APG produces custom calibration standards that are NIST traceable.
• Quality Control Standards: APG produces quality control standards which complement the proficiency testing programs as well as those custom quality control standards used in routine analysis.
• Analytical Reagents: Analytical Reagents is a wholly owned subsidiary of APG. This organization produces high-quality, custom reagents for industrial laboratories.