This section is a compilation of quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC) procedures or requirements to which Standard Methods sections refer, especially those sections addressing chemical analyses. Radiochemical, toxicity, and microbiological analyses often rely on specific QA and QC requirements presented more completely in Sections 7020, 8020, and 9020, respectively. It is not the intent of this section to supersede specific requirements outlined in the x020 sections of Parts 2000 through 10000, or the specifications of individual methods. Verify the applicable method QC requirements by referring to the method being used, the associated x020 section, and finally this section when not otherwise specified.
Quality assurance (QA) for laboratory operations is a program that specifies the planned and systematic measures and activities required to produce defensible data with known precision and accuracy. Laboratories operating under accreditation or certification from a national, state or other regional accrediting organization must include QA program elements specifically required for that accreditation or certification. Elements of the QA program are defined in a laboratory’s QA manual, written procedures, work instructions, and records. The manual should include a policy that defines the statistical level of confidence used to express data precision and bias, as well as method detection levels (MDLs) and minimum reporting limits (MRLs). The overall system includes all QA policies and quality control (QC) processes needed to demonstrate the laboratory’s competence and to ensure and document the quality of its analytical data. Quality systems are essential for laboratories seeking accreditation under state, federal, or international laboratory certification programs.
QA includes both QC (1020 B) and quality assessment (1020 C). For information on evaluating data quality, see Section 1030.