5. Mistakes to avoid

5.1 Don't neglect the logistics

If you organize an EIL, the results can sometimes be surprising or disappointing. In such cases, you need to find an explanation. To do this, you shouldn't have to suspect the heterogeneity of the materials, their state of preservation during transport, or a matrix effect. You need to think carefully about the choice of materials, and how they are prepared and shipped. In short, don't underestimate these crucial practical and logistical aspects.

The terms "interlaboratory validation", "interlaboratory comparison", "collaborative study", "ring test" or "round-robin test" are sometimes incorrectly used to designate an EIL.