Perspective. Quality management and laboratory accreditation at a university: what can be learned from experience?

Abstract

Quality management has been introduced at the Laboratory for Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis of the Interfaculty Reactor Institute at the Delft University of Technology. The laboratory has received accreditation for its quality system for compliance with the accreditation criteria of EN45001 closely following the ISO-25 guide. The laboratory's motivation for introducing quality management is given with emphasis on the aspects of a university environment. These motives include the need for a system of documentation, prevention of repetition of work, thorough traceability of experimental conditions, increased respect for and therefore, trustworthiness of the laboratory and improved chances for acquiring third party contracts. The route to accreditation is described briefly. The experience with the quality system is illustrated with examples of the consequences for research and routine operations, e.g., related to technical competence of personnel, non-conformance management, audits and analytical quality. Unexpected spin-offs are presented and an outlook on the future is also given.