Global EQA/PT scheme provider
Helping global molecular genetics and pathology labs prove quality, maintain accreditation, and improve care.
5900+
External Quality Assessment registrations per year
97+
Countries covered by our global assessment network
300+
Expert peer assessors evaluating end-to-end performance
Browse the EQA catalogue by area
Pick a category to filter the catalogue, or search across every scheme.
Browse allAccreditation bodies, laboratories, societies and pharmaceutical industry partners
Why choose EMQN?
Whole-Process Assessment, from Sample to Report
EMQN’s External Quality Assessment (EQA) schemes evaluate the complete molecular diagnostics workflow, providing a true assessment of laboratory performance. From sample preparation and testing to result interpretation and clinical reporting, our programmes help laboratories strengthen quality assurance, improve diagnostic accuracy, and demonstrate ongoing competence.
ISO/IEC 17043 Accredited Quality Assurance
EMQN delivers ISO/IEC 17043 accredited proficiency testing and EQA schemes, providing laboratories with confidence in the quality, impartiality, and technical rigour of their assessments. Participation supports laboratories working towards or maintaining ISO 15189 accreditation and demonstrates commitment to internationally recognised quality standards.
A Global Quality Network
As one of the world’s leading providers of molecular diagnostics EQA, EMQN connects a global community of laboratories, hospitals, research institutions, and testing providers. Through international benchmarking and peer comparison, participants gain valuable insights into performance while contributing to the advancement of quality standards across genomic and genetic testing.
Driving Best Practice in Genetic and Genomic Testing
EMQN works with internationally recognised experts in molecular genetics, genomics, and laboratory medicine to deliver high-quality EQA programmes and educational resources. Our expert feedback, technical guidance, webinars, and best-practice recommendations help laboratories stay current with emerging technologies, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
How our EQA caught a missed variant at UZ Leuven
UZ Leuven runs more than 125,000 genetic tests a year. When its Centre for Human Genetics put its full NGS and bioinformatics workflow through EMQN’s germline variant schemes, the EQA surfaced issues its own validation had not, including a variant that could never be called because of a coverage gap. Every finding drove a concrete change to the lab’s protocol.
If all of the laboratories participating in EQA perform this exercise to improve their pipeline, the standards will rise because the next version of EQA will be even better.
How we work
From choosing a scheme to your benchmark report
Choose your scheme
Browse the catalogue and pick the EQA schemes that match the tests your lab runs.
Register your laboratory
Enrol online during the registration window. New laboratories are welcome.
Receive your samples
We send blinded samples for you to test exactly as you would a real referral.
Analyse and submit
Run your normal process, then submit your results and interpretive report.
Assessment and benchmark
Expert peer assessors review your performance and return an individual report.
Browse EMQN resources
Best Practice Guidelines
The EMQN community is committed to educating genomic diagnostic service providers…
View Best Practice GuidelinesCase Studies
Real lab wins from EQA feedback
View Case StudiesPublications
White papers and conference posters drawn from our EQA schemes.
View PublicationsWebinars
On-demand education, practical walkthroughs and variant classification masterclasses, curated by the…
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