Quality Assurance (QA) oversees matters related to ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation and internal compliance with the laboratory’s Quality Management System. Maintenance of this accreditation allows the NDA Laboratory to continue supporting FSMA regulatory administration by the Food Safety and Consumer Protection and the Animal and Plant Health Protection focus areas. Major QA activities include document control, internal audits, continuous improvement, and personnel training.
Being accredited to ISO 17025 means that an independent expert has evaluated NDA labwork first-hand and is vouching for the ability of lab personnel to test in a consistent, competent manner that is free from outside influences. QA provides day-to-day oversight of NDA lab activities to ensure compliance with ISO 17025 in between biennial visits by external auditors.