Standardized Checklists for QA Manager and AB Manager Users
The AQS Checklist Library provides a growing collection of standardized checklists designed for environmental laboratory quality systems and accreditation assessments.
Available within QA Manager and AB Manager, these checklists help laboratories and accrediting bodies work from consistent, structured evaluation tools aligned with real-world requirements.
Built for Real Assessments and Quality Activities
The library currently focuses on high-value, practical checklists, including:
- TNI-based assessment checklists
- Method-specific checklists
- Evaluation tools used during laboratory assessments
- Structured review templates for quality activities
These checklists are designed to reflect how assessments and evaluations are actually performed—supporting both internal laboratory use and external accreditation reviews.
Why Checklists Matter
Checklists are one of the most effective tools for ensuring consistency, completeness, and defensibility.
Without standardized checklists, organizations often rely on:
- informal notes or inconsistent evaluation approaches
- individual assessor or staff preferences
- duplicated effort creating similar tools across programs
- gaps in documentation during audits or assessments
The AQS Checklist Library provides structured, reusable checklists that help ensure evaluations are performed consistently and documented clearly.
Designed for QA Manager and AB Manager
The Checklist Library is fully integrated into QA Manager and AB Manager.
- In QA Manager, laboratories can use checklists to support internal audits, training, and ongoing quality activities
- In AB Manager, accrediting bodies can use checklists during assessments and technical reviews
This shared approach helps align expectations between laboratories and accrediting bodies—supporting more consistent and defensible outcomes.
Built by the Community (and Growing)
The Checklist Library is designed to grow over time through contributions from users.
Future expansion may include:
- additional method-specific checklists
- program-specific or agency-specific checklists
- supporting templates and evaluation tools
All resources are reviewed before being added to maintain consistency and quality.
Included with Your System
The AQS Checklist Library is available to active users within QA Manager and AB Manager.
Checklists can be accessed, assigned, and used directly within the platform—ensuring they are part of your workflow, not just standalone documents.
A Foundation for Shared Standards
The Checklist Library supports a broader goal: helping laboratories and accrediting bodies work from more consistent evaluation tools.
By starting with shared checklist structures, organizations can:
- reduce duplication of effort
- improve consistency across assessments
- support clearer documentation and defensible decisions
See It in Action
The Checklist Library is available within QA Manager and AB Manager.
Contact AQS to learn more about how standardized checklists can support your laboratory or accreditation program.
Checklist Examples
Checklists are organized by category to support both technical evaluation and day-to-day laboratory operations.
🔷 Quality System / Administrative
1. Quality Manual Review Checklist
Covers alignment with TNI V1M2, policies, scope, and structure.
2. Internal Audit Program Checklist
Evaluates audit frequency, coverage, documentation, and follow-up.
3. Management Review Checklist
Ensures required inputs/outputs, action items, and documentation.
4. Corrective Action System Checklist
Root cause analysis, effectiveness checks, tracking, closure.
5. Document Control & SOP Management Checklist
Version control, approvals, distribution, obsolete document handling.
🔷 Laboratory Operations
1. Sample Receiving & Login Checklist
Login accuracy, condition checks, labeling, LIMS entry.
2. Chain-of-Custody Review Checklist
Completeness, signatures, sample IDs, transfer integrity.
3. Sample Preservation & Holding Time Checklist
Preservation methods, temperature, holding time compliance.
4. Sample Storage & Disposal Checklist
Storage conditions, segregation, disposal practices.
5. General Laboratory Practices Checklist
Housekeeping, contamination control, workflow organization.
🔷 Methods – Organics
1. EPA 8260 (VOCs) Compliance Checklist
Purge & trap setup, calibration, surrogates, blanks, tuning.
2. EPA 8270 (SVOCs) Compliance Checklist
Extraction, cleanup, calibration, internal standards, QC.
3. Pesticides / PCBs (8081/8082) Checklist
Calibration, cleanup, confirmation, QC acceptance.
4. PFAS (LC/MS/MS) Checklist
Contamination control, blanks, calibration, isotope dilution.
5. Organic Extraction Procedures Checklist
Extraction techniques (Soxhlet, SPE, etc.), recovery, QC.
🔷 Methods – Inorganics
1. ICP-MS Metals (EPA 200.8) Checklist
Calibration, interference correction, QC checks.
2. ICP-OES Metals (EPA 200.7) Checklist
Calibration, drift checks, QC verification.
3. General Chemistry (e.g., Alkalinity/Hardness) Checklist
Titration technique, standardization, QC.
4. Nutrients (Nitrate/Nitrite/Ammonia) Checklist
Calibration, blanks, spikes, interferences.
5. Cyanide Analysis Checklist
Distillation, preservation, interferences, QC.
🔷 Methods – Microbiology
1. Total Coliform / E. coli Checklist
Media prep, incubation, QC, interpretation.
2. Membrane Filtration Technique Checklist
Sterility, filtration process, contamination control.
3. Presence/Absence Method Checklist
Sample handling, incubation, result interpretation.
4. Media Preparation & Sterility Checklist
Preparation, storage, expiration, QC.
5. Incubation & Colony Counting Checklist
Temperature control, timing, counting accuracy.
🔷 Methods – Radiochemistry
1. Gamma Spectroscopy Checklist
Calibration, efficiency, background, QC.
2. Gross Alpha/Beta Checklist
Sample prep, counting, QC.
3. Radium Analysis Checklist
Separation, counting, QC.
4. Uranium Analysis Checklist
Method setup, calibration, QC.
5. Radiochemical Sample Preparation Checklist
Digestion, separation, contamination control.
🔷 Equipment / Instrumentation
1. Analytical Balance Calibration Checklist
Calibration, verification, environment, records.
2. Pipette Calibration & Verification Checklist
Accuracy, precision, frequency, documentation.
3. Thermometer / Temperature Device Verification Checklist
Traceability, calibration, acceptance limits.
4. Oven / Incubator Temperature Mapping Checklist
Uniformity, stability, probe placement.
5. Instrument Calibration & Maintenance Checklist
Scheduled maintenance, logs, performance checks.
🔷 Quality Control / PT
1. Proficiency Testing (PT) Evaluation Checklist
Pass/fail criteria, intervals, documentation (ties directly to AB Manager logic).
2. PT Failure Investigation Checklist
Root cause, corrective action, documentation.
3. Laboratory Control Sample (LCS) Review Checklist
Recovery limits, trends, failures.
4. Calibration Verification (CCV/ICV) Checklist
Acceptance criteria, drift, corrective actions.
5. Data Review & Validation Checklist
Batch QC, qualifiers, usability decisions.
🔷 Assessment Activities
1. Opening Meeting Checklist
Introductions, scope, schedule, expectations.
2. Closing Meeting Checklist
Findings, observations, next steps, timelines.
3. Laboratory Walkthrough Checklist
Facilities, workflow, safety, contamination risks.
4. Staff Interview Checklist
Competency, knowledge, training verification.
5. Assessment Report Preparation Checklist
Documentation completeness, consistency, conclusions.