ISO 9000 series of quality systems
ISO 9000 standards refer to generic approaches of management systems based on the means implemented by an organisation to ensure the conformity of its products with the customer�s requirements. They are not involved in any sort of technical assessment, although technical quality assurance is essential to determine fitness for the customer�s purpose. For more information on ISO, you can visit their website at: http://www.iso.ch
Good laboratory practice (GLP)
Good Laboratory Practice defines quality system management procedures to plan, perform, monitor, record and report laboratories studies. It assesses the integrity of the results produced by promoting a reliable mean to conduct studies and accurately reporting them.
It is mainly used in laboratories involved in the health and environmental safety testing of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, cosmetics and food additives.
For more information on GLP, you can visit the Department of Health website at:
http://www.doh.gov.uk/practice.htm
UK Accreditation Service (UKAS)
UKAS role is to assess the technical competence and quality management abilities of organisations providing testing, calibration, inspection and certification services. It is the only accreditation body recognised for these services in the UK.
Information on harmonisation of accreditation schemes can be found at the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation site: http://www.ilac.org
Clinical Pathology Accreditation Standards (CPA)
CPA is an accreditation body assessing the quality system of medical diagnostic laboratories services including haematology, clinical biochemistry, virology, molecular genetics, microbiology and immunology.
For more information on CPA, you can visit their website at: http://www.cpa-uk.co.uk/