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Quality Assurance

SwRI is dedicated to providing analytical data that is accurate, precise, representative, and complete. Therefore, quality assurance and quality control is an integral part of laboratory efforts. The Quality Assurance Section of the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Division is guided by the Institute's Quality Assurance Department, an independent group reporting to the president of SwRI. The Quality Assurance Section assures the correct methods are performed and the proper criteria are followed for data evaluation and legally defensible data. The section also provides support to the technical staff on quality issues that require immediate attention and resolution. The Quality System follows the ISO 9001:2008 guidelines for the 20 elements. The Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Division is ISO 9001:2008 registered.

Michael G. MacNaughton, Ph.D., P.E, Vice President

Technical strengths in the section include:

  • Automated custody control from sample/test receipt through reporting requirements and disposal

  • Analytical guidelines following client specifications, such as Environmental Protection Agency Contract Laboratory Program, Good Laboratory Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices, Dept. of Energy,  and quality assurance program requirements for nuclear facilities (NQA-1)

  • Quality programs for a variety of matrices including soil, water, sludge, oil, vegetation, invertebrate, mammals, and biological samples such as blood, plasma, and urine for nonclinical studies

  • Laboratory certifications through several state and federal quality assurance programs

  • Audit schedules to provide surveillance/inspections to the ISO Quality System procedure, laboratory procedures, and contractual requirements to method procedures

  • Trending to management for problem solving and continuous improvement efforts in the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Division

  • Participation in Performance Evaluation samples through the Safe Drinking Water, Clean Water Act, hazardous waste, and radioactive isotopes of mixed waste samples

  • On-site third-party audits and data validation meeting government methodology and requirements  (Environmental Protection Agency's SW-846, 500 and 600 methodology and Standard Methods practices)

Division Publications

Quality Accreditations

Analytical and Environmental Chemistry Department
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Division
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March 09, 2012