ABSTRACT
This chapter defines the quality control (QC) procedures and components that are mandatory in the performance of analyses, and indicates the QC information that must be generated with the analytical data. The components of a quality assurance (QA)/QC program can be classified as management and as functional. QA is a necessary part of data production, and it serves as a guide for the operation of the laboratory for production quality data. The responsibility of ensuring that the QA/QC measures are properly employed must be assigned to a knowledgeable person who is not directly involved in the sampling and analysis. Responsibilities of such an officer may range from periodic reviewing of the program to conducting system audits and internal performance audits on a routine and continuing basis. Analysts must be well-trained for both technical and QA/QC responsibilities.
