Our EQA schemes test your entire laboratory process

Our Assessment Approach

Working with our network of 290+ expert assessors, we evaluate your laboratory’s ability to analyse samples, interpret results against mock clinical referrals, and produce clear, accurate reports.

We offer a range of schemes, including partnerships with organisations such as Novartis, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Lilly, Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine, MSD and Incyte.

Scheme scope varies by genomic specialty and test type. Some focus on technical performance and sequence data quality, enabling benchmarking over time or against peers, while others assess analytical and clinical interpretation against best practice, overseen by independent experts.

Whichever scheme you choose, you’ll receive tailored educational feedback and full support to implement any required improvements, ensuring compliance and the best possible outcomes for patients.

How & when to subscribe to a scheme

Our EQA Catalogue

We’re excited to launch our updated 2026 EQA catalogue, shaped by your insights to better support laboratories worldwide.

Success stories: some of our clients

About EQAs

Please consult our catalogue for the most accurate pricing information.

Discounts for evolving economies:

EMQN CIC is committed to improving global standards in laboratory testing. We support laboratories worldwide to enhance quality by participating in our External Quality Assessment (EQA) schemes.

As a global leader in EQA provision, EMQN CIC offers an Evolving Economies Discount to help eligible laboratories access our schemes and strengthen their quality systems.

Participation is simple. Laboratories can purchase EQA schemes between September and February. If your application for the Evolving Economies Discount is approved, the discounted fee will be automatically applied at checkout. Please note that some schemes are excluded from this discount.

Laboratory performance criteria

EMQN’s aim is to ensure that laboratories are delivering the highest possible quality of service.

We work according to professional consensus and attempt to improve quality through education and peer group review rather than censure or penalty. However, it is still necessary to measure performance against set criteria and national/international standards to identify participants performing poorly.

Our criteria are detailed in the documents below:

Molecular pathology schemes
Disease-specific and technical schemes
For all schemes, poor performance is incurred for the following reasons:
- Non-submission of results (unless acceptable prior notification to EMQN)
- Critical genotyping error (false positive or false negative result)
- Critical interpretation error and/or incorrect advice which adversely affects patient clinical management

Individual laboratory reports (ILR)

After assessment, you will be able to download a provisional ILR from your EMQN account. This report which provides feedback against set criteria, also includes educational advice and may be further updated based on the findings of any appeal before the final ILR is published.

Provisional reports will be clearly marked as such. Check an example of a final ILR.

Find out more.

Appeals

If you are not satisfied with the assessment of an EQA scheme in which you have participated, you can submit an appeal by logging into your EMQN account.

Your results will be re-evaluated by the assessment team and if upheld, some or all marks will be returned; this will be reflected in your final ILR. Appellants are usually given 3 weeks to submit an appeal from the date of the publication of the provisional ILRs.

The investigation and resolution of appeals will be conducted without any discriminatory actions against the appellant, ensuring fair and equal treatment.

Find out more.

Summary scheme reports

In addition to the ILR, we also provide each laboratory with a summary scheme report which summarises issues encountered by other participant laboratories, including educational advice, commentary on new development for the scheme, and provides statistics which can help you to compare your performance against the benchmark.