Quality specifications for non-EPA organizations are defined in the Code
of Federal Regulations. The Quality Staff issues documents to provide
information on satisfying the Federal Regulations for organizations receiving
financial assistance from EPA through extramural agreements (e.g., contracts,
grants, cooperative agreements, and interagency agreements). These documents
may be used by EPA organizations as well.
The Quality Staff issues documents to assist in the development and implementation
of a suitable Quality System for both EPA and non-EPA organizations. These
documents provide guidance to program managers and technical staff. They
do not impose legally binding requirements and may not apply to a particular
situation based on the circumstances. EPA retains the discretion to adopt
approaches on a case-by-case basis that differ from these guidance where
appropriate. EPA may periodically revise these guidance without public
notice.
General Guidance
| Title |
Publication
Number and Date |
Description |
| Overview of the EPA Quality System
for Environmental Data and Technology |
EPA/240/R-02/003
November 2002
(PDF 160KB) |
Information on existing Agency policies,
responsibilities, and resources to use in implementing both the EPA
Quality System and your organization's Quality System. For more information
and resources, see Policies and Procedures
for EPA Organizations and Quality Specifications
for Non-EPA Organizations. |
| Guidance for Developing Quality
Systems for Environmental Programs (QA/G-1) |
|
Guidance on developing and documenting
the elements of a functional quality system in organizations that
carry out environmental data operations within, or on behalf of, EPA.
For more information and resources, see Tools
- Quality Management Plans. |
| Guidance on Assessing Quality Systems
(QA/G-3) |
|
Guidance on assessing the adequacy
and effectiveness of an environmental quality system. For more information
and resources, see Tools - Quality Systems Assessments. |
| Guidance for the Data Quality Objectives
Process (QA/G-4) |
|
Guidance on the Data Quality Objectives
Process, a systematic planning process for environmental data collection.
Note: This version replaces the original document issued in September
1994. For more information and resources, see Tools
- Systematic Planning. |
| Decision Error Feasibility Trials (DEFT)
Software (QA/G-4D) |
|
PC-based software for determining the feasibility of data quality
objectives defined using the Data Quality Objectives Process. A special
version of the software that works with screen readers is available
by contacting the Quality Staff at quality@epa.gov
or calling 202/564-6830. Note: This version replaces the original
software issued September 1994 (EPA/600/R-96/056). For more information
and resources, see Tools - Systematic Planning. |
| Data Quality Objectives Process for Hazardous
Waste Site Investigations (QA/G-4HW) |
|
Guidance on applying the Data Quality Objectives process to hazardous
waste site investigations. For more information and resources on the
DQO Process and systematic planning, see Tools
- Systematic Planning. |
| Guidance for Quality Assurance Project Plans
(QA/G-5) |
|
Guidance on developing Quality Assurance Project Plans that meet
EPA specifications. Note: This version replaces the original document
issued in February 1998 (EPA/600/R-98/018). For more information and
resources, see Tools - QA Project Plans. |
| Guidance for Geospatial
Data Quality Assurance Project Plans (QA/G-5G) |
EPA/240/R-03/003
March 2003
(PDF 1456KB) |
Guidance on developing Quality Assurance Project Plans for geospatial
data projects. For more information and resources, see Tools
- QA Project Plans. |
| Guidance on Choosing a Sampling Design
for Environmental Data Collection (QA/G-5S) |
EPA/240/R-02/005
December 2002
(PDF 1046KB) |
Guidance on applying standard statistical sampling designs (such
as simple random sampling) and more advanced sampling designs (such
as ranked set sampling, adaptive cluster sampling) to environmental
applications. |
| Guidance for Quality Assurance Project
Plans for Modeling (QA/G-5M) |
EPA/240/R-02/007
December 2002
(PDF 616KB) |
Guidance on developing Quality Assurance Project Plans for modeling
projects. For more information and resources, see Tools
- QA Project Plans. |
| Guidance for Preparing Standard Operating
Procedures (QA/G-6) |
|
Guidance on the development and documentation of Standard Operating
Procedures. Note: This version replaces the original document issued
in November 1995 (EPA/600/R-96/027). For more information and resources,
see Tools - Standard Operating Procedures. |
| Guidance on Technical Audits and Related
Assessments for Environmental Data Operations (QA/G-7) |
|
Guidance to help organizations plan, conduct, evaluate, and document
technical assessments. For more information and resources, see Tools
- Technical Audits. |
| Guidance on Environmental Data Verification
and Data Validation (QA/G-8) |
EPA/240/R-02/004
November 2002
(PDF 387KB) |
Guidance to help organizations conduct data verification and data
validation activities. For more information and resources, see Tools
- Data Verification and Data Validation. |
| Guidance for Data Quality Assessment: Practical
Methods for Data Analysis (QA/G-9) |
|
Guidance on a statistically-based method to evaluate the extent
to which data can be used for a specific purpose. The QA00 version
replaces all earlier versions of this guidance. For more information
and resources, see Tools - Data Quality Assessment. |
| DataQUEST (QA/G-9D) |
No Longer Available.
|
The DataQUEST software is no longer available. For
links to other free software for performing data quality assessment,
see Quality-Related Resources -
Software. EPA has a site license for SAS for EPA employees - for
information, email: quality@epa.gov. |
| Guidance for Developing a Training Program
for Quality Systems (QA/G-10) |
|
Guidance on developing a program-specific quality systems training
program for all levels of management and staff. For more information
and resources, see Tools - Training Programs. |
The following documents are currently undergoing peer review. Directions
for submitting comments are contained with each document. Although formal
peer reviewers have been identified for these documents, your comments
are important to us. Please send us any comments you may have.
Peer Review Documents
| Title |
Date |
Description |
| Guidance on Systematic Planning for Environmental Data
Collection Using Performance and Acceptance Criteria (QA/G-4A) |
|
Guidance on applying systematic planning for data collection using
performance and acceptance criteria. This document was removed on
4/11/03. It will not be reissued - information from this peer review
version will be incorporated into a revision of the Guidance
on the DQO Process and the webpage Tools
- Systematic Planning.
|
| Guidance on Data Quality Indicators
(QA/G-5i) |
|
Guidance on commonly encountered descriptions
of data quality.
This document was removed on 7/10/02. Changes will be made based on
the peer review comments and then the final version will be issued. |
| Guidance on Quality Assurance for Environmental
Technology Design, Construction and Operation (QA/G-11) |
|
Guidance on basic quality assurance and quality control procedure,
and good engineering principles/practices, that may be used in the
design, construction, or operation of environmental technologies.
This document was removed on 2/10/04. Changes will be made based
on the peer review comments and then the final version will be issued.
|
