Immunoassay external quality assessment schemes in France.

Several immunoassay external quality assessment schemes (EQAS) are currently operating in France. Three of them are described, special reference being made to their philosophy, aims, structure and organisation. The results obtained since the EQAS were set up, enable us to appreciate the state of the art of immunoassays and its evolution with time. The results, also, point out the need to use control samples of high quality.