International Pierre Gy Sampling Association
The International Pierre Gy Sampling Association, IPGSA, promotes the development and application of the Theory of Sampling (TOS). TOS was founded by Pierre Gy in the 1950s to address sampling issues in mining and related industries, and since then the IPGSA has applied TOS in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and waste management.
Sampling Science & Technology
Sampling Science & Technology (SST) is a free publication produced by the IPGSA for the sampling community, providing a communications platform for all interested in the theory and practice of representative sampling and blending.
WCSB12 in Cornwall, UK
The World Conference on Sampling & Blending will be held in Penryn, a seaside town in Cornwall, United Kingdom, from 30 June to 2 July 2026.
About IPGSA
The purpose of the International Pierre Gy Sampling Association (IPGSA) is to oversee formal activities of the world sampling community and to represent the views of this community.
The Association is not a legally constituted body, but is a common-interest, unincorporated association of persons solely associated for the common purpose of promoting the interests of the world sampling community and its various activities. The Constitution of the Association incorporates the rules identifying in whom control of the Association and its funds are vested.
History
The founder of the Theory of Sampling (TOS), Pierre Gy (1924–2015) single-handedly developed the TOS from 1950 to 1975 and spent the following 25 years applying it in key industrial sectors (mining, minerals, cement and metals processing). In the course of his career he wrote nine books and gave more than 250 international speeches on all subjects of sampling.
Learn more about Pierre Gy
Council
The Association is headed by a Council. The Council of the Association has the authority to award the right to a country to host the World Conference on Sampling and Blending (WCSB), which draws together the world’s leading sampling practitioners, manufacturers and experts to promote, network, discuss and inform about the latest advances in the theory and practice of sampling and blending.
Get to know the council