Guidelines For Achieving Quality in Trace Analysis

This document addresses the generic aspects of obtaining reliable trace analysis measurements for laboratories. It provides guidelines, prepared by the UK Laboratory of the Government Chemist, on key quality assurance issues.

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This guide derives from an extensive UK government-funded project that has addressed generic aspects of improving the quality of trace analysis measurements. Central to this initiative has been the development of a protocol that will act as a check list of key issues for those involved in carrying out trace analysis. It provides a summary of the requirements for obtaining reliable trace analysis data, including both the scientific problems relating to trace analysis and all of the relevant quality assurance issues. The book is applicable to laboratories where accreditation or certified quality systems are already in place, where it is intended to seek compliance with an externally audited scheme, or where there is a need to adopt a more systematic approach to laboratory quality assurance.