A single miscalibrated instrument or undocumented deviation in a chemical laboratory can invalidate results, delay accreditation, or cost an organisation its credibility. Total Quality Management (TQM) exists precisely to close that gap — a strategic approach that improves every laboratory process while keeping customer satisfaction and continuous performance improvement at its centre.

This training course focuses on applying quality standards specifically within chemical laboratories, combining process-improvement methodology with the advanced tools and techniques needed to guarantee quality. Participants will also examine why international standards such as ISO 17025 and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) matter, since both are fundamental to achieving global accreditation and compliance.

By the end, participants will be equipped to build stronger laboratory work environments through strategies that improve operational performance and reduce the costs linked to errors, while applying quality tools such as internal audits and statistical analysis to keep pace with global change.

Target Audience

• Chemical laboratory managers.
• Quality and auditing staff in laboratories.
• Specialists in industrial and academic laboratories.
• Researchers and scientists working in laboratories.
• Individuals interested in developing their skills in laboratory quality management.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the concept of Total Quality Management and its application in chemical laboratories.
• Identify the essential tools and techniques used to ensure quality in laboratories.
• Improve laboratory processes and reduce errors resulting from manipulation or fraud.
• Apply international quality standards such as ISO 17025 and GLP (Good Laboratory Practice).
• Develop systems to monitor and evaluate performance within chemical laboratories.

• Module 1: The Cost of Getting It Wrong — Why TQM Matters

  • What Total Quality Management means and the principles it rests on.
  • Why TQM matters specifically for chemical laboratories, where small errors carry big consequences.
  • How laboratory quality connects directly to high performance and credibility.

• Module 2: Quality in the Chemical Lab Context

  • How the quality of daily work shapes the accuracy of laboratory results.
  • The practical challenges chemical laboratories face when implementing quality management.
  • The key elements that keep a chemical laboratory's quality consistent.

• Module 3: Building the Quality Management System

  • The structure of a laboratory quality management system.
  • Defining clear responsibilities and authorities within that system.
  • Embedding continuous improvement into the day-to-day laboratory environment.

• Module 4: International Standards — ISO 17025 and GLP

  • The importance of ISO 17025 for laboratories and how to apply it to gain accreditation.
  • The benefits ISO 17025 accreditation brings to chemical laboratories.
  • Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) principles, how they differ from ISO 17025, and how both ensure quality performance.

• Module 5: Documentation, Compliance and Internal Audits

  • Why accurate documentation is essential to proving quality, and how to document laboratory procedures and reports.
  • Ensuring ongoing compliance with international standards.
  • The role of internal audits and reviews in driving improvement, and how to analyse and apply audit results.

• Module 6: Managing Risk and Finding Root Causes

  • Identifying potential risks in laboratory operations and techniques for assessing and mitigating them.
  • Building plans that reduce risk before it becomes a problem.
  • Root cause analysis techniques for tracing errors back to their source, and implementing corrective and preventive actions.

• Module 7: Statistical Tools That Catch Problems Early

  • Applying statistical process control (SPC), control charts, Pareto analysis, and fishbone diagrams to analyse results and errors.
  • Using regression analysis, descriptive statistics, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to improve accuracy and reduce variation.
  • Inspecting chemical test data for errors and applying statistical analysis to compare and improve results.

• Module 8: Making Continuous Improvement Routine

  • Applying the PDCA cycle (Plan, Do, Check, Act) to laboratory processes.
  • Using Lean, Six Sigma, and Kaizen to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and increase consistency.
  • Strengthening team collaboration to sustain improvements over time.

• Module 9: Measuring and Monitoring Performance

  • Defining the right KPIs for a laboratory and using them to track productivity and quality.
  • Preparing periodic quality assessment reports and using them to identify areas for improvement.
  • Implementing continuous monitoring systems and feedback mechanisms, then reviewing performance data to address deviations and sustain a quality-driven culture.

• Module 10: Full Compliance and Accreditation

  • Ensuring ongoing compliance with both ISO 17025 and GLP across all laboratory processes.
  • Applying standard procedures in sample testing and documenting them to international standards, building a quality culture.
  • The path to accreditation: how to obtain it, periodic evaluation requirements, and strategies for renewal.