Monitoring the timeliness of reporting test results. Each laboratory must have a formal quality assur-ance programme. The use of blind quality assurance within and between laboratories. Comparison of standards and future planning Continuous improvement is essential. Comparison of standards used by different laboratories is a necessary activity towards improvement.
Several standards are available for, or can apply to, laboratories and quality assurance programmes.
These are numerous, and include documents that address such aspects of laboratory quality assurance as quality systems, laboratory accreditation, and competence of testing calibration laboratories. Formal and visible quality systems, good laboratory practices, and correct and appropriate quality control and quality assurance activities are necessary for any laboratory and for trade certification. Official schemes are available in many countries for monitoring good laboratory practice. ISO 9000 International Standards for Quality Management, 5th edition. International Organization for Standardization, Case postale 56, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland.