Quality Control

All laboratories that perform analysis under a Level 2 or Level 3 study plan shall implement a quality assurance program. There must be written documentation for all elements of the quality assurance program in the form of a quality assurance manual (QAM), a quality assurance plan (QAP), or a quality assurance project plan (QAPP). Guidelines for the content of this written documentation have been provided in the administrative rules for the Credible Data Program:

• Level 2 – Appendix B of rule 3745-4-05 [PDF 9K]
• Level 3 – Appendix B of rule 3745-4-06 [PDF 11K]

The Qualified Data Collector who submits the study plan is responsible for ensuring that the required written documentation of the quality assurance program exists.

Another resource that may be helpful is:

• U.S. EPA Volunteer Monitor’s Guide to Quality Assurance Plans
  http://www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring/volunteer/qappcovr.htm

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