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EQA Client News 3/2025

Welcome to the third EQA client newsletter of 2025! Topics covered in this newsletter:

Labquality will be Labquality again!

We are pleased and honoured to announce that the Labquality you know so well is going to be Labquality again! Earlier this year, we informed that we are now Aurevia; however, after careful consideration, we have concluded that our customers are best served when we focus on our core strengths.

To achieve this, we have initiated a restructuring process that will result in the formation of two independent companies: Labquality and Aurevia. In the new structure, Labquality will focus on external quality assessment (EQA) services, as well as auditing and certification services and training and events, while Aurevia will continue as an expert in Contract Research Organization (CRO) and Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs (QARA) services provider. The split is expected to be finalised by the end of this year, with both companies operating independently
from January 1, 2026.

"This is a pivotal moment in our journey. By creating two focused companies, we are empowering each to pursue its strategic vision with greater agility and precision. Our customers will benefit from better-focused businesses and clearer service offers. This split also allows us to sharpen the brand identities of Labquality and Aurevia to better serve our distinct customer segments,” says CEO Juha-Pekka Nuutinen.

As before, the people you have collaborated with are still here for you. Your existing contacts and schemes will continue uninterrupted. For the external quality assessment service, the Labquality name has been visible to you all this time, and you will continue to find us at labquality.com and see the trusted and familiar Labquality logo and name in our materials and services.

This name change has no impact on our collaboration. Your contract and subscribed external quality assessment programs will continue uninterrupted. The accreditation status of EQA rounds will also remain unchanged.

In case of any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your account manager or contact us at info@aurevia.com.

New Schemes 2026

We are proud to introduce ten new EQA schemes for 2026.

  • 2708 Human Erythropoietin and Thrombopoietin
  • 2709 Phosphatidyl ethanol in blood (PEth)
  • 2755 Biochemical indicators of vitamin B12 deficiency (HoloTC, MMA, Homocysteine)
  • 2756 Immunosuppressants
  • 5043 Gram stain, vaginal fluid
  • 5241 Bordetella pertussis/parapertussis, nucleic acid detection
  • 5305 Bacterial vaginosis and vaginitis multiplex, nucleic acid detection
  • 5688 West Nile virus, antibodies
  • 5689 HCV RNA from capillary blood, POCT
  • 6800 HPV-related head and neck cancer control
    • 6801 for virology laboratories (HPV-NAT)
    • 6802 for pathology laboratories (IHC p16 staining and interpretation)

The HPV-related head and neck cancer control scheme includes two different sample types of the same sample material. The scheme is intended for both virology and clinical pathology laboratories. Virology laboratories should select product 6801, which includes 2 cell-derived paraffin scroll samples in vials for nucleic acid testing. Pathology laboratories should select 6802, which includes 2 slides with a cell-derived paraffin section for IHC p16 for staining and interpretation.

Laboratories performing both nucleic acid testing and IHC p16 staining should select product 6800, which includes both sample types. Please note that when ordering product 6800, the results must be reported on the same result form in LabScala using the same client code as when ordering the product.

Please see page 42 (Others >> Oncology) in the product catalogue for more information.

Introducing 2709 Phosphatidyl ethanol in blood (PEth)

PEth in whole blood is a reliable and direct biomarker for assessing alcohol abuse. Labquality EQAS is introducing a new EQA scheme 2709 Phosphatidyl ethanol in blood (PEth). The scheme will be arranged 4 times during 2026.

Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is an abnormal phospholipid formed in the presence of ethanol. It is produced from phosphatidylcholine in the cell membrane, catalysed by phospholipase D. PEth is only formed in the presence of ethanol in various tissues, making it a highly specific biomarker for alcohol use.

PEth is emerging as the most reliable direct biomarker for the diagnosis and monitoring of alcohol abuse. Its use is becoming increasingly common both in addiction treatment and in other clinical contexts where accurate assessment of alcohol use is essential.

 

Subscribing to EQA orders for 2026

As we are starting to look ahead to 2026 orders, we kindly remind you of a few things to ensure smooth operations.

Introducing IEQAS

The Irish External Quality Assessment Scheme CLG is the national not-for-profit Independent External Quality Assessment (EQA) provider, with over 40 years of experience. It was established in 1981 to objectively assess Analytical performance in laboratory medicine and primary care in Ireland.

Over 80 Irish hospital laboratories and nearby patient testing sites participate in 113 IEQAS National Schemes and Labquality Schemes. Cooperation with Labquality has successfully continued for 25 years.

Our team consists of three staff members: Anne Kane (IEQAS Scheme Manager), Maria Phelan (IEQAS Scheme and Quality Administrator) and Yvonne Burke (IEQAS Operations Manager).

We pride ourselves on the local, personal support and guidance we provide to all our members.

Contact Details

Website: www.ieqas.ie
Email: info@ieqas.ie

Best regards,
IEQAS team

IEQAS_Anne

Anne Kane

 IEQAS_Maria

Maria Phelan

 IEQAS_Yvonne

Yvonne Burke

 

LQD-logo-50-anniversary-turquoise-with-golden-snowflake

Labquality Days – the International Congress on Quality in Laboratory Medicine and Health Technology – will be held in Helsinki, 5-6 February 2026. Labquality Days is one of Northern Europe's largest annual international congresses focusing on quality in laboratory medicine and health technology. In 2026, we will celebrate our 50th anniversary!

The full program has been published – visit the congress website for more information.

 

ePoster Exhibition

Present your studies, latest developments and scientific research at the ePoster exhibition! At Labquality Days, you will reach a wide international audience and a group of laboratory medicine and health tech professionals to whom you can present your research results or projects.

If you present an ePoster, use the discount code LQDPOSTER when you register, and you will get a 25% discount.

7M400091

New! Satellite Workshop

We're hosting a satellite workshop on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, from 15:00 to 19:30, on the theme Patient-Based Quality Control. The workshop is hosted by Dr. Tze Ping Loh, Dr. Hikmet Can Çubuçku, and Dr. Huub van Rossum, who will also give lectures at the congress. 

This hands-on session focuses on the practical application of patient-based quality control – including selecting, validating, implementing, and monitoring appropriate parameters.

Seats are limited, so be sure to reserve yours early!

Share your favourite Labquality Days memory with us!

Have you visited the Labquality Days congress during the last 50 years? What has been the most memorable lecture, meeting, or evening event for you?

Tell us about your most memorable Labquality Days experience!  We will be raffling off a €100 gift card to Aarni's online store among all participants. Aarni is a Finnish brand that designs wallets, bags and sunglasses made with natural materials.

We will also share the best memories on social media and at the event!

Share your memories

Customer satisfaction survey

During November, randomly selected customers will receive a link to our annual customer satisfaction survey. Please follow your email, answer the short survey and share your thoughts if you are one of the recipients!