{"id":14063,"date":"2026-04-03T22:38:51","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T22:38:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.aqsnet.com\/?page_id=14063"},"modified":"2026-04-21T23:47:44","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T23:47:44","slug":"aqs-checklist-library","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.aqsnet.com\/index.php\/software\/aqs-checklist-library\/","title":{"rendered":"AQS Checklist Library"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/span><\/div>
<\/div>

Standardized Checklists for QA Manager and AB Manager Users<\/h2>\n

The AQS Checklist Library provides a growing collection of standardized checklists designed for environmental laboratory quality systems and accreditation assessments.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n

Built for Real Assessments and Quality Activities<\/h2>\n

The library currently focuses on high-value, practical checklists, including:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • TNI-based assessment checklists<\/li>\n
  • Method-specific checklists<\/li>\n
  • Evaluation tools used during laboratory assessments<\/li>\n
  • Structured review templates for quality activities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    These checklists are designed to reflect how assessments and evaluations are actually performed\u2014supporting both internal laboratory use and external accreditation reviews.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Why Checklists Matter<\/h2>\n

    Checklists are one of the most effective tools for ensuring consistency, completeness, and defensibility.<\/p>\n

    Without standardized checklists, organizations often rely on:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • informal notes or inconsistent evaluation approaches<\/li>\n
    • individual assessor or staff preferences<\/li>\n
    • duplicated effort creating similar tools across programs<\/li>\n
    • gaps in documentation during audits or assessments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      The AQS Checklist Library provides structured, reusable checklists that help ensure evaluations are performed consistently and documented clearly.<\/p>\n

      \n

      Designed for QA Manager and AB Manager<\/h2>\n

      The Checklist Library is fully integrated into QA Manager and AB Manager.<\/p>\n

        \n
      • In QA Manager<\/strong>, laboratories can use checklists to support internal audits, training, and ongoing quality activities<\/li>\n
      • In AB Manager<\/strong>, accrediting bodies can use checklists during assessments and technical reviews<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        This shared approach helps align expectations between laboratories and accrediting bodies\u2014supporting more consistent and defensible outcomes.<\/p>\n

        \n

        Built by the Community (and Growing)<\/h2>\n

        The Checklist Library is designed to grow over time through contributions from users.<\/p>\n

        Future expansion may include:<\/p>\n

          \n
        • additional method-specific checklists<\/li>\n
        • program-specific or agency-specific checklists<\/li>\n
        • supporting templates and evaluation tools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          All resources are reviewed before being added to maintain consistency and quality.<\/p>\n

          \n

          Included with Your System<\/h2>\n

          The AQS Checklist Library is available to active users within QA Manager and AB Manager.<\/p>\n

          Checklists can be accessed, assigned, and used directly within the platform\u2014ensuring they are part of your workflow, not just standalone documents.<\/p>\n

          \n

          A Foundation for Shared Standards<\/h2>\n

          The Checklist Library supports a broader goal: helping laboratories and accrediting bodies work from more consistent evaluation tools.<\/p>\n

          By starting with shared checklist structures, organizations can:<\/p>\n

            \n
          • reduce duplication of effort<\/li>\n
          • improve consistency across assessments<\/li>\n
          • support clearer documentation and defensible decisions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            \n

            See It in Action<\/h2>\n

            The Checklist Library is available within QA Manager and AB Manager.<\/p>\n

            Contact AQS to learn more about how standardized checklists can support your laboratory or accreditation program.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

            Checklist Examples<\/h2>\n

            Checklists are organized by category to support both technical evaluation and day-to-day laboratory operations.<\/p>\n

            \ud83d\udd37 Quality System \/ Administrative<\/h2>\n

            1. Quality Manual Review Checklist<\/strong>
            Covers alignment with TNI V1M2, policies, scope, and structure.<\/p>\n

            2. Internal Audit Program Checklist<\/strong>
            Evaluates audit frequency, coverage, documentation, and follow-up.<\/p>\n

            3. Management Review Checklist<\/strong>
            Ensures required inputs\/outputs, action items, and documentation.<\/p>\n

            4. Corrective Action System Checklist<\/strong>
            Root cause analysis, effectiveness checks, tracking, closure.<\/p>\n

            5. Document Control & SOP Management Checklist<\/strong>
            Version control, approvals, distribution, obsolete document handling.<\/p>\n

            \n

            \ud83d\udd37 Laboratory Operations<\/h2>\n

            1. Sample Receiving & Login Checklist<\/strong>
            Login accuracy, condition checks, labeling, LIMS entry.<\/p>\n

            2. Chain-of-Custody Review Checklist<\/strong>
            Completeness, signatures, sample IDs, transfer integrity.<\/p>\n

            3. Sample Preservation & Holding Time Checklist<\/strong>
            Preservation methods, temperature, holding time compliance.<\/p>\n

            4. Sample Storage & Disposal Checklist<\/strong>
            Storage conditions, segregation, disposal practices.<\/p>\n

            5. General Laboratory Practices Checklist<\/strong>
            Housekeeping, contamination control, workflow organization.<\/p>\n

            \n

            \ud83d\udd37 Methods \u2013 Organics<\/h2>\n

            1. EPA 8260 (VOCs) Compliance Checklist<\/strong>
            Purge & trap setup, calibration, surrogates, blanks, tuning.<\/p>\n

            2. EPA 8270 (SVOCs) Compliance Checklist<\/strong>
            Extraction, cleanup, calibration, internal standards, QC.<\/p>\n

            3. Pesticides \/ PCBs (8081\/8082) Checklist<\/strong>
            Calibration, cleanup, confirmation, QC acceptance.<\/p>\n

            4. PFAS (LC\/MS\/MS) Checklist<\/strong>
            Contamination control, blanks, calibration, isotope dilution.<\/p>\n

            5. Organic Extraction Procedures Checklist<\/strong>
            Extraction techniques (Soxhlet, SPE, etc.), recovery, QC.<\/p>\n

            \n

            \ud83d\udd37 Methods \u2013 Inorganics<\/h2>\n

            1. ICP-MS Metals (EPA 200.8) Checklist<\/strong>
            Calibration, interference correction, QC checks.<\/p>\n

            2. ICP-OES Metals (EPA 200.7) Checklist<\/strong>
            Calibration, drift checks, QC verification.<\/p>\n

            3. General Chemistry (e.g., Alkalinity\/Hardness) Checklist<\/strong>
            Titration technique, standardization, QC.<\/p>\n

            4. Nutrients (Nitrate\/Nitrite\/Ammonia) Checklist<\/strong>
            Calibration, blanks, spikes, interferences.<\/p>\n

            5. Cyanide Analysis Checklist<\/strong>
            Distillation, preservation, interferences, QC.<\/p>\n

            \n

            \ud83d\udd37 Methods \u2013 Microbiology<\/h2>\n

            1. Total Coliform \/ E. coli Checklist<\/strong>
            Media prep, incubation, QC, interpretation.<\/p>\n

            2. Membrane Filtration Technique Checklist<\/strong>
            Sterility, filtration process, contamination control.<\/p>\n

            3. Presence\/Absence Method Checklist<\/strong>
            Sample handling, incubation, result interpretation.<\/p>\n

            4. Media Preparation & Sterility Checklist<\/strong>
            Preparation, storage, expiration, QC.<\/p>\n

            5. Incubation & Colony Counting Checklist<\/strong>
            Temperature control, timing, counting accuracy.<\/p>\n

            \n

            \ud83d\udd37 Methods \u2013 Radiochemistry<\/span><\/h2>\n

            1. Gamma Spectroscopy Checklist<\/strong>
            Calibration, efficiency, background, QC.<\/p>\n

            2. Gross Alpha\/Beta Checklist<\/strong>
            Sample prep, counting, QC.<\/p>\n

            3. Radium Analysis Checklist<\/strong>
            Separation, counting, QC.<\/p>\n

            4. Uranium Analysis Checklist<\/strong>
            Method setup, calibration, QC.<\/p>\n

            5. Radiochemical Sample Preparation Checklist<\/strong>
            Digestion, separation, contamination control.<\/p>\n

            \n

            \ud83d\udd37 Equipment \/ Instrumentation<\/h2>\n

            1. Analytical Balance Calibration Checklist<\/strong>
            Calibration, verification, environment, records.<\/p>\n

            2. Pipette Calibration & Verification Checklist<\/strong>
            Accuracy, precision, frequency, documentation.<\/p>\n

            3. Thermometer \/ Temperature Device Verification Checklist<\/strong>
            Traceability, calibration, acceptance limits.<\/p>\n

            4. Oven \/ Incubator Temperature Mapping Checklist<\/strong>
            Uniformity, stability, probe placement.<\/p>\n

            5. Instrument Calibration & Maintenance Checklist<\/strong>
            Scheduled maintenance, logs, performance checks.<\/p>\n

            \n

            \ud83d\udd37 Quality Control \/ PT<\/h2>\n

            1. Proficiency Testing (PT) Evaluation Checklist<\/strong>
            Pass\/fail criteria, intervals, documentation (ties directly to AB Manager logic).<\/p>\n

            2. PT Failure Investigation Checklist<\/strong>
            Root cause, corrective action, documentation.<\/p>\n

            3. Laboratory Control Sample (LCS) Review Checklist<\/strong>
            Recovery limits, trends, failures.<\/p>\n

            4. Calibration Verification (CCV\/ICV) Checklist<\/strong>
            Acceptance criteria, drift, corrective actions.<\/p>\n

            5. Data Review & Validation Checklist<\/strong>
            Batch QC, qualifiers, usability decisions.<\/p>\n

            \n

            \ud83d\udd37 Assessment Activities<\/h2>\n

            1. Opening Meeting Checklist<\/strong>
            Introductions, scope, schedule, expectations.<\/p>\n

            2. Closing Meeting Checklist<\/strong>
            Findings, observations, next steps, timelines.<\/p>\n

            3. Laboratory Walkthrough Checklist<\/strong>
            Facilities, workflow, safety, contamination risks.<\/p>\n

            4. Staff Interview Checklist<\/strong>
            Competency, knowledge, training verification.<\/p>\n

            5. Assessment Report Preparation Checklist<\/strong>
            Documentation completeness, consistency, conclusions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":11839,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-14063","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aqsnet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14063","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aqsnet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aqsnet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aqsnet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aqsnet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14063"}],"version-history":[{"count":18,"href":"https:\/\/www.aqsnet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14063\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14169,"href":"https:\/\/www.aqsnet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14063\/revisions\/14169"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.aqsnet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11839"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.aqsnet.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14063"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}