1.1 This guide provides guidance for selecting, validating, and qualifying measurement methods when qualification is required for a specific program. The recommended practices presented in this guide provide a major part of a quality assurance program for the laboratory data (see ). Qualification helps to assure that the data produced will meet established requirements.

1.2 The activities intended to assure the quality of analytical laboratory measurement data are diagrammed in . Discussion and guidance related to some of these activities appear in the following sections:

1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.