Laboratory Quality Services International (LQSi) programs provide a quality-monitoring tool for SGS’s global network of analytical laboratories as well as for numerous client laboratories The LQSi fertilizer proficiency test programs (PTPs) are offered monthly and bi-monthly. Let our LQSi experts customize a quality control program for you.

Monitor and Control Laboratory Processes

LQSi offers specialized proficiency test programs (PTPs) that determine the chemical and physical characteristics of urea, phosphate and potash. Use PTPs to:

• Support the technical validity of laboratory results
  
• Protect your interest in trade transactions
  
• Monitor and control sources of variation
  
• Verify analyst proficiency
  
• Determine method validation and for an instrument’s fitness-for-use
  
• Use as laboratory quality control materials
  
• Support ISO 17025 accreditation and ISO 9001 activities

LQSi Urea PTP, -40 mesh (-425 µm) and LQSi Potash PTP, -40 mesh (-425 µm) sample testing alternate monthly. The following parameters are tested and reported in the Urea PTP:

• Biuret (as received)
  
• Moisture (total)
  
• Nitrogen (as received)

The following parameters are tested and reported in the Potash PTP (as-received basis, unless noted otherwise):

• Calcium (Ca)
  
• Potassium chloride (KCl)
  
• Sulfate sulphur (SO4)
  
• Magnesium (Mg)
  
• Potassium Oxide (K2O)
  
• Water insoluble residue
  
• Moisture (total)
  
• Sodium chloride (NaCl)
  

LQSi Phosphate PTP, -40 mesh (-425 µm) samples alternate monthly among monoammonium phosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), and triple superphosphate (TSP). The following parameters are tested and reported in the Phosphate PTP (as-received basis, unless noted otherwise):

• Available phosphorus (P2O5)
  
• Total phosphorus (P2O5)
  
• Nitrogen (N)
  
• Citrate insoluble phosphorus (P2O5)
  
• Water soluble phosphorus (P2O5)
  
• Free acid
  
• Free moisture

Easy-To-Read and Easy-To-Understand Reports

• LQSi PTP reports focus on the current-round performance AND the historical performance over the last twelve rounds, providing tabular and graphical summaries and presentations of laboratory performance.
  
  
• Single-page, specialized management reports allow managers with responsibility for multiple laboratories to obtain a quick view of all of their laboratories’ performance at a single glance.
  
  
• Detailed parameter reports provide performance measures, repeatability and reproducibility, distributions, and runs chart.