Quality Assurance
SGS Quality Assurance Program
SGS North America Inc. provides analytical services to commercial and government clients in support of environmental monitoring and remedial activities as requested. SGS North America Inc.’s mission provides accurate and reliable data that satisfies client requirements as explained in the following:
Deliver value to our clients by providing easy access to accurate and timely analytical information which meets or exceeds their expectations.
These services are provided impartially and are not influenced by undue commercial or financial pressures which might affect the staff’s technical judgment. SGS North America Inc. does not engage in activities that endanger the trust in our independent judgment and integrity in relation to the testing activities performed.
Quality Assurance Policy Statement
The management and staff of SGS share the responsibility for product quality. The Quality System is designed to ensure that all processes and procedures, which are components of environmental data production, meet established industry requirements. These processes and procedures must be adequately documented from a procedural and data traceability perspective as executed by the staff. It also assures that analytical data of known quality, meeting the quality objectives of the analytical method in use and the data user’s requirements, are consistently produced in the laboratory. This enables the ultimate data user to make rational, confident, cost-effective decisions on the assessment and resolution of environmental issues.
The Quality System provides staff with data quality and operational feedback data. This enables a determination whether the laboratory has achieved the established quality and operational standards, which are dictated by the client or established in regulation. The information obtained from the Quality System is used to assess operational performance from a quality perspective and to perform corrective action as necessary.
Corporate Quality Assurance Program
Quality and Professionalism are integral parts of SGS’ Business Principles and are a cornerstone of ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction. By maintaining operational excellence, we ensure the long-term sustainability of our business.
The management and staff of SGS North America share the responsibility for product quality and continually strive for its systematic improvement. Accordingly, SGS’s quality assurance programs are designed to assure that all processes and procedures, which are components of environmental data production, meet established industry requirements, are adequately documented from a procedural and data traceability perspective, and are consistently executed by the staff. It also assures that analytical data of known quality, meeting the quality objectives of the analytical method in use and the data user’s requirements, is consistently produced in the laboratory. This assurance enables the data user to make rational, confident, cost-effective decisions on the assessment and resolution of environmental issues. The following is implied in this policy:
- Commitment to follow the latest requirements of TNI, ISO 17025, and the DOD/DOE QSM
- Commitment to continually improve the effectiveness of the Quality Management System
- Commitment to ethical professional practices
- Commitment to the quality of our services
- Commitment that testing will be conducted to stated methods and client requirements.
Corporate Quality Assurance Program
The Corporate Quality Assurance Director establishes the quality framework for the network of SGS environmental labs. This is done using corporate policies that define the quality responsibilities at the facility level. She is responsible for monitoring the quality system and quality health at each facility and providing feedback to the management staff.
The local Quality Assurance Managers at each laboratory report directly to the Corporate Quality Assurance Director. This type of relationship enables the Corporate Program to be implemented locally while limiting conflicts of interest and ensuring quality stays the primary focus. It also strengthens quality management at each location since the individual QA Officer or Manager is never alone and has the support of over 16 QA team members. Our team often travels to support local laboratories as needed.
Quality Assurance at Each Laboratory
The SGS philosophy enables each facility to implement a quality policy using their unique operating style. This approach provides the autonomy needed to meet the requirements of the local regulatory areas using procedures that efficiently meet their operational goals.
The Quality Assurance Program at each facility incorporates elements of ISO Guide 17025, TNI, and the DOD/DOE QSM. Operations management works closely with QA to implement the program elements and operate the quality system.
Quality Assurance Officer or Manager checks the program, provides feedback to local and corporate management, and helps with corrective action and training if needed.