1.0 General information
ICAR is pleased to announce the organization of the ICAR Proficiency Test 2024.Participation in the ICAR PT complies with analytical quality assurance requirements of ISO 17025. Along with the system of Certification of Quality implemented by ICAR since 2016, it consists in a recognition of the competence of laboratories and, more broadly, of analytical systems in ICAR member organisations that require regular PT participation with international anchorage. ICAR PT is ISO 17043 certified.
1.1 Administrative fees
The administrative fees are different for ICAR and non ICAR members.
1.2 Parameter fees
The technical sub-contractor of this proficiency testing scheme are ACTALIA, and LACTANET The ICAR PT parameters considered are: fat, protein, urea, lactose, somatic cell, beta-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB), Pregnancy Associated Glycoproteins (PAG) and Microorganism DNA PCR technique in cow milk. For fat, protein, urea, lactose, somatic cell, beta-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB) Fatty Acids, it will be possible to participate with chemical (direct) method and alternative (indirect) method.
The ICAR secretariat collects the participation forms, sends you the final report and the invoice.
The ICAR PT is key to your quality assurance. A feature of the new ICAR PT report will help you track and trend your performance over time. ICAR technical staff are always available to help interpret the results and support you as necessary.
2.1 Technical Information (cow)
| Method to apply | Parameters | Number of Samples | Vials Number |
| All methods chemical and alternative | Fat | 10 samples with a volume of 65 ml preserved with 0.02 % bronopol, regularly ranging from 1.5 % to 4.9 % fat and from 2.5 % to 4.0 % crude protein (TNx6.38) |
From 1-to 8 + FAT A+ FAT B |
| Protein | 10 samples with a volume of 65 ml preserved with 0.02 % bronopol, regularly ranging from 1.5 % to 4.9 % fat and from 2.5 % to 4.0 % crude protein (TNx6.38) | From 1-to-10 | |
| 3 Kjeldahl solutions 1 tryptophan + 1 Glycin + 1 ammonium sulphate at N concentration of milk, with a volume of 30ml | |||
| Lactose | 10 samples with a volume of 65 ml preserved with 0.02 % bronopol, regularly ranging from 4.6 % to 5.1 % lactose | From 11-to-20 | |
| 1 lactose solution with a volume of 30 ml at the concentration of milk | |||
| Urea | 10 samples with a volume of 30 ml preserved with 0.02 % bronopol, regularly ranging from 10 to 70 mg urea /100 ml | From 21-to-30 | |
| Somatic cell | 10 samples with a volume of 30 ml preserved with 0.02 % bronopol, regularly ranging from 50 to 1600 x103 cells/ml | From 31-to-40 | |
| 2 lyophilized samples | Lyo A -Lyo B | ||
| BHB | 10 samples with a volume of 30 ml preserved with 0.02 % bronopol, regularly ranging from 0,06-0,25 mmole/liter | From 51-to-60 | |
| Fatty acids* | 8 preserved samples with a volume of 100 ml for a quantitative determination of fatty acids | ICAR FA 04-2024 #1 to ICAR FA 04-2024 #8 | |
| PAG | 5 preserved samples with a volume of 2 ml for a qualitative determination positive and negative | From 41-to-45 | |
| DNA (PCR technique) | 5 preserved samples with a volume of 2 ml for a qualitative determination positive and negative | From 46-to-50 |
*Note: for fatty acids parameters, please fill in the following forms and send to pt@icar.org
2.2 Technical information (Sheep)
| Method to apply | Parameters | Number of Samples | Vials Number |
| Routine methods | Fat | 10 samples with a volume of 65 ml preserved with 0.02 % bronopol, regularly ranging from 6 % to 9 % fat and from 5% to 7 % crude protein (TNx6.38) | From 1-to 10 |
| Protein | 10 samples with a volume of 65 ml preserved with 0.02 % bronopol, regularly ranging from 6 % to 9 % fat and from 5% to 7 % crude protein (TNx6.38) | From 1-to-10 | |
| Lactose | 10 samples with a volume of 65 ml preserved with 0.02 % bronopol, regularly ranging from 4.5 % to 5.5 % lactose | From 11-to-20 | |
| Urea | 10 samples with a volume of 30 ml preserved with 0.02 % bronopol, regularly ranging from 10 to 80 mg urea /100 ml | From 21-to-30 | |
| Somatic cell | 10 samples with a volume of 30 ml preserved with 0.02 % bronopol, regularly ranging from 800 to 2000 x103 cells/ml | From 31-to-40 |
2.3 Technical information (Goats)
| Method to apply | Parameters | Number of Samples | Vials Number |
| Routine methods | Fat | 10 samples with a volume of 65 ml preserved with 0.02 % bronopol, regularly ranging from 3 % to 6 % fat and from 2,5% to 4 % crude protein (TNx6.38) | From 1-to 10 |
| Protein | 10 samples with a volume of 65 ml preserved with 0.02 % bronopol, regularly ranging from 3 % to 6 % fat and from 2,5% to 4 % crude protein (TNx6.38) | From 1-to-10 | |
| Lactose | 10 samples with a volume of 65 ml preserved with 0.02 % bronopol, regularly ranging from 4.5 % to 5.5 % lactose | From 11-to-20 | |
| Urea | 10 samples with a volume of 30 ml preserved with 0.02 % bronopol, regularly ranging from 10 to 80 mg urea /100 ml | From 21-to-30 | |
| Somatic cell | 10 samples with a volume of 30 ml preserved with 0.02 % bronopol, regularly ranging from 100 to 1500 x103 cells/ml | From 31-to-40 |
Packaging: 100 ml, 65 ml, 30 ml, and 2 ml polyethylene screw-capped vials with airtight joints, 2 glass vials for lyophilized milk.
Dispatch: by express carrier with ice in isolated boxes => arrival within 1 day (for most European countries) or up to 5 days, depending on the recipient’s country.
Storage in the laboratory: samples must be stored at 4°C upon arrival and should be analysed for SCC no longer than 5 days, and for chemistry no longer than 10 days, after the dispatch date.
Calendar for 2024
| Dates of sample dispatch for cow milk | Deadline for subscription | Shipment | Expected arrival |
| 15 February | 4 March | from 5 to 6 March 2024 | |
| 15 August | 2 September | from 3 to 4 September 2024 | |
| Dates of sample dispatch for sheep milk | 15 September | 30 September | from 1 to 2 October |
| Dates of sample dispatch for goat milk | 15 October | 4 November | from 5 to 6 November |
3.0 Particular cautions for international delivery
Large delays can result from missing the exact fulfilment of the custom requirements of the importing country so it is important to update ICAR on the local custom requirements and the latest changes.
For new participants, particular attention should be paid to the first trial to check transport effectiveness and, where needed, enable possible improvement with regard to delays. The most appropriate method for sample transport and delivery will be determined.
Please pay attention as samples may arrive on a bank holiday in your country.
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4.0 ICAR PT Fees
The ICAR Administration fee is for each round.
For shipping costs, please see the table below.
Fees for each parameter and method refer to each dispatch and for one set of samples.
ICAR PT Cow Milk – Administrative fees
| ICAR PT Fees – Administrative fees | ||
| ICAR Member | 180,00 € | |
| No ICAR Member | 260,00 € | |
| Shipping cost/package | EU countries 80,00 € | |
| Asia 220,00€ | ||
| North Africa 145,00 € | ||
| Africa 220,00 | ||
| North America 170,00 | ||
| South America 275,00 | ||
| Parameter Fees | ||
| Method | Chemical (direct) | Alternative (indirect) |
| Fat | 65,00 € | 65,00 € |
| Protein | 78,00 € | 78,00 € |
| Lactose | 65,00 € | 65,00 € |
| Urea | 65,00 € | 65,00 € |
| Somatic cells | 105,00 € | 105,00 € |
| BHB | 105,00 € | 105,00 € |
| Fatty Acids | 280,00 € | 280,00 € |
| PAG | 68,00 € | |
| DNA (PCR technique) | 90,00 € | |
These prices do not include VAT
ICAR PT Sheep and goat Milk – Administrative fees
| ICAR PT Fees – Administrative fees | |
| ICAR Member | 180,00 € |
| No ICAR Member | 260,00 € |
| Shipping cost/package | EU countries 80,00 € |
| Asia 220,00€ | |
| North Africa 145,00 € | |
| Africa 220,00 | |
| North America 170,00 | |
| South America 275,00 | |
| Parameter Fees | |
| Method | All methods |
| Fat | 90,00 € |
| Protein | 90,00 € |
| Lactose | 90,00 € |
| Urea | 90,00 € |
| Somatic cells | 105,00 € |
5.0 ICAR PT Subscription and payment
In case you do not have an ICAR PT account please register here
The subscription has to be completed two weeks before the sample shipment that is scheduled on:
- RF0324 Cow milk reference methods round 04 March 2024
- RT0324 Cow milk routine methods round 04 March 2024
- RF0924 Cow milk reference methods round 02 September 2024
- RT0924 Cow milk routine methods round 02 September 2024
- RS0924 Sheep Milk 30 September 2024
- RG1124 Goat Milk 04 November 2024
ICAR will invoice your laboratory; it has to be paid according to the deadline contained in the invoice.
Instructions on the use of the PT platform can be downloaded here
6.0 Results
Please upload your results to the ICAR PT platform. Excel file is no more accepted.
7.0 Statistical treatment
The statistical treatment will be done according to ISO 17043.
The ICAR report scheme has been simplified by the ICAR Milk Analysis Sub-Committee and includes a full overview/explanation of the ICAR population.
All the data will be treated anonymously and a tight confidentiality commitment is guaranteed.
The ICAR Secretariat will contact you as soon as the reports are available on the ICAR PT platform
8.0 Contacts
For any further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact ICAR secretariat:
- Silvia Orlandini email silvia@icar.org
- Cesare Mosconi email mosconi@icar.org