Quality Assurance: Externally administered programs that are design to assess and maintain a minimum level of laboratory performance. It includes laboratory inspection and accreditation, personnel training, examination and certification, regular proficiency testing and the maintenance of a quality control program.

Quality Control: Systematic regular activities for verifying and maintaining a specified level of quality in a product or process. It includes careful planning, regular documentation, continued inspection and measurement and the implementation of corrective action when necessary.