CEQA (Cytogenetic European Quality Assessment) was established in 2005 as part of the EuroGentest Network of Excellence (Workpackage 1.4). This workpackage aims to improve and harmonise the overall quality of cytogenetic laboratory services across Europe through education and external quality assessment (EQA).

CEQA ran the first pilot EQA in 2006 and participation in the first instance was by invitation only. Participation is now open to any cytogenetic laboratory. Registration for this EQA is open until 1st  June each year and the EQA starts in the first week of June. Laboratories have 5 weeks to complete the online analysis and submit a report.

There are EQA offered now for Prenatal Cytogenetics, Postnatal Cytogenetics, Haemato-Oncology Cytogenetics, Pre-implantation Diagnosis and microarrays (ArrayCGH).

The panel of assessors are composed from members of the EuroGentest Forum, a working group of European cytogenetic EQA providers or ESHRE (for preimplantation diagnosis).

Following the assessors meeting, participating laboratories will receive a report that includes the recognition of a satisfactory performance, and also constructive comments if necessary.

An administration fee of  £75 will be charged annually. Each EQA costs £150.

In 2009, CEQA is running an arrayCGH pilot EQA jointly with EMQN involving the DISTRIBUTION of a DNA sample to analyse and then report online. The pilot will be free of charge, although there is an administration fee.

Subsequent CEQA pilots will be posted on this website and be available to cytogenetic laboratories worldwide.

To download the Participants' Manual for 2009, click here

Last updated: 26th March 2009.