A single unreliable test result can trigger a recall, invalidate months of research, or put patient safety at risk — which is exactly why laboratories are judged not by how busy they are, but by how much their numbers can be trusted. Meeting that bar takes more than good instruments; it takes a disciplined quality system that every technician and manager understands and follows.

This training course walks participants through the full quality control picture inside a modern laboratory: from calibration and measurement uncertainty to internal audits, risk management, and alignment with ISO/IEC 17025. Rather than treating quality as a compliance checkbox, the course shows how these practices work together day to day to keep results accurate, traceable, and defensible — in healthcare, industry, or environmental testing alike.

Target Audience

• Laboratory managers and technical supervisors.
• Quality assurance and quality control officers.
• Scientific analysts and laboratory technicians.
• Professionals seeking ISO/IEC 17025 compliance knowledge.

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

• Apply core quality control systems tailored to laboratory operations.
• Identify and manage the factors that affect accuracy and data integrity.
• Monitor laboratory performance using recognised quality indicators.
• Align laboratory practices with international standards and guidelines.
• Strengthen internal processes to prevent errors and ensure consistency.

• Module 1: When Lab Results Can't Be Trusted

  • Defining accuracy and precision in practical laboratory terms, and why the distinction matters for decision-makers.
  • Tools for measuring repeatability, reproducibility, and the significance of statistical variability.
  • Understanding the components of measurement uncertainty and how to estimate and document it.
  • Linking test results to international standards through metrological traceability and a documented chain of calibration.
  • Recognising and managing uncertainty sources in everyday, routine analysis.

• Module 2: Calibration, Equipment and Control Materials

  • Purpose and frequency of equipment calibration, and the use of certified reference materials.
  • Selecting control materials and applying blanks to monitor quality through sample comparison.
  • Installation, Operational and Performance Qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ) for laboratory equipment.
  • Routine servicing, verification checklists, and the impact of neglected maintenance.
  • Identifying common equipment failures, reporting non-conformities, and documenting corrective actions.

• Module 3: Validating and Verifying Test Methods

  • Criteria for validating analytical methods: linearity, specificity, robustness, and common pitfalls.
  • The difference between method validation and verification, and adapting published methods for in-house use.
  • Conducting internal cross-checks and taking part in external proficiency testing and inter-laboratory benchmarking.

• Module 4: Using Data to Catch Problems Early

  • Statistical basics for laboratory staff: mean, standard deviation, variance, and normal distribution.
  • Introducing Shewhart control charts to monitor trends, shifts, and warning signals in data.
  • Defining key performance indicators (KPIs) and linking them to laboratory objectives for continuous tracking.

• Module 5: Auditing the Laboratory

  • Why regular internal audits matter, and how to schedule and prepare for them.
  • Building effective, tailored audit checklists and scoring systems.
  • Classifying audit findings by severity, tracing root causes, and implementing corrective and preventive actions.

• Module 6: Managing Risk Before It Becomes an Error

  • Sources of analytical and procedural risk, including human error and environmental factors.
  • Using risk matrices and scoring systems to prioritise corrective action.
  • Strategies for error prevention, building redundancy into QC checks, and encouraging a culture of vigilance.

• Module 7: Documentation, Governance and Communication

  • The role of laboratory management in QC oversight and allocating responsibilities across departments.
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), quality manuals, and record-keeping practices that support traceability.
  • Communicating QC findings clearly, reporting non-conformance, and coordinating between quality staff and technical teams.

• Module 8: Quality Fundamentals and Why They Matter

  • Why accurate test results matter in critical sectors, and the ethical implications of laboratory errors.
  • The distinction between quality assurance and quality control, and how QC relates to overall lab performance.
  • How laboratory quality frameworks originated and evolved, and global trends in standardisation.

• Module 9: ISO/IEC 17025, Accreditation and Regulatory Oversight

  • The structure and key clauses of ISO/IEC 17025, and the criteria for accreditation.
  • Embedding QC into daily practice through staff engagement and training.
  • The role of national and international regulators, maintaining compliance during inspections, and keeping pace with evolving standards.