Pan-African cement proficiency testing scheme

The German BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing in collaboration with the German Metrology Institute (PTB) are organizing an Africa-wide proficiency testing scheme for the year 2014 on the testing of cement. The Pan-African Cement Proficiency Testing Scheme (PACE-PTS) is the second Africa-wide proficiency testing scheme after a first transaction in 2012/2013, where 26 private and public construction materials testing laboratories from 20 African nations were registered.
The testing program comprises testing of the major chemical and physical properties of cement. Testing is condu­cted according to EN 196. The PACE-PTS is open for private and public laboratories in Africa and the registration is open until 15.03.2014.
Testing the quality of cement is an important task in order to ensure the safety of constructions. Many laboratories in Africa are specialised on the performance of the necessary chemical and physical tests. Participation in proficiency testing schemes helps in assuring a steady quality of testing as it provides a tool of self-assessment against pre-established criteria and by giving a tool for a neutral inter-laboratory comparison. Furthermore, participation in a proficiency testing scheme helps in proving a laboratory’s competence to customers. Participation in proficiency tests is furthermore a precondition for accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025.
The PACE-PTS combines the tool of a proficiency testing scheme with networking and training activities in Africa. Besides the statistical analysis of the delivered testing results, a final workshop will be organised for all participants in order to discuss the results and the way forward. Within the scope of the workshop also training activities will take place. These are financially supported for public laboratories within the framework of the German Development Cooperation.

Further information can be found under
http://www.bam.de/en/kompetenzen/fachabteilungen/abteilung_7/fb74/pacepts_2014.htm

Registration can be made via cement-pt@bam.de.

x

Related articles:

Issue 09/2012

Knowledge transfer and quality assurance – key factors for the future prospects of building­ with cement in Africa

The sense of heading for new horizons is really in the air. “We had so much struggle. Let us now watch out that our children do not need to suffer any more”, the statement of John Okumo from the...

more
Issue 1-2/2015 ONESTONE CONSULTING S.L.

Lafarge-Holcim’s cement rivals in Africa

1 Introduction Africa has a population of 1.124 billion, 178 million (15.9?%) live in North Africa and 945 million (84.1?%) in Sub-Saharan Africa (Population Reference Bureau data mid 2014) but...

more
Issue 5-6/2020 GEBR. PFEIFFER SE

Next MVR bound for West Africa

The regional demand for cement in West Africa is growing steadily and local players are looking for reliable and economical solutions. The regional cement giant CIMCO, part of the CIM Metal Group,...

more
Issue 10/2020

Africa in focus

Since when has Intercem been active in Africa? We were very active in the Middle East until 2009/2010, but as the market became increasingly saturated and cooled down, we sought new challenges and...

more

Specialist seminar for construction professionals from Ghana in Bottrop

From 13.05.-17.05.2019, more than 20 civil engineers, planners, building contractors and representatives of the construction industry from Ghana attended a five-day specialist seminar MC-Forum on...

more