Quality Assurance (QA) & Quality Control (QC)

 

Quality Control (QC) is a system of routine technical activities, to measure and control the quality

of the inventory as it is being developed. The QC system is designed to:

(i)

Provide routine and consistent checks to ensure data integrity, correctness, and

completeness;

(ii)

Identify and address errors and omissions;

(iii) Document and archive inventory material and record all QC activities.

QC activities include general methods such as accuracy checks on data acquisition and

calculations and the use of approved standardised procedures for emission calculations,

measurements, estimating uncertainties, archiving information and reporting. Higher tier QC

activities include technical reviews of source categories, activity and emission factor data, and

methods.

Quality Assurance (QA) activities include a planned system of review procedures conducted by

personnel not directly involved in the inventory compilation/development process. Reviews,

preferably by independent third parties, should be performed upon a finalised inventory following

the implementation of QC procedures. Reviews verify that data quality objectives were met,

ensure that the inventory represents the best possible estimates of emissions and sinks given the

current state of scientific knowledge and data available, and support the effectiveness of the QC

programme