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Focus Areas

Laboratory Quality Assurance and Standardization

Providing quality assurance services for drug testing laboratories

RTI’s laboratory quality assurance and standardization team assesses, supports, and improves the quality of drug testing laboratories. We develop and manage proficiency testing programs and forensic laboratory inspections as well as the design, preparation, and distribution of reference materials and quality assurance samples for clinical and forensic drug testing laboratories.

A defined quality management system enables efficient and effective procedures that comply with established technical and scientific standards, as verified by independent auditing authorities. Proficiency testing is used globally within forensic drug testing laboratories to ensure quality and standardization in laboratory operations and data interpretation. Our experienced toxicologists, chemists, and technicians ensure that our products and services meet or exceed community needs. To date, we have produced over 1 million proficiency testing samples for our clients in support of their critical need to verify the accuracy and reliability of forensic laboratory testing.  

Quality assurance products and services support three main quality objectives:

  • Produce materials and operate programs that meet or exceed customer requirements This may be measured by customer feedback and continued business relationships
  • Produce materials and operate programs that meet the requirements of International Standards and other regulatory requirements. This is often measured by internal and external audits as well as continued accreditation
  • Effectively use program resources to maximize cost efficiency

Our quality assurance skills include:  

  • Production of toxicology proficiency or performance testing samples and operation of the PT program in accordance with ISO 17043
  • Production of reference materials in urine, oral fluid, hair, and blood in facilities that are accredited to ISO 17034
  • Standard setting for laboratory accreditation
  • Support of the development, validation, and maintenance of drug testing standards


While our quality assurance capabilities may be applied in many ways, our projects are designed to ensure the protection and safety of employers, donors, laboratory staff, and the public through accurate drug testing programs which serve as the gold standard in laboratory accreditation.

The value of the work provided by the programs and laboratories we support impacts the confidence of the public and the other interested parties in the reliability and accuracy of the results produced. We are committed to complying with the strictest laboratory protocols to maintain the trust of the forensic community in these critically important quality assurance programs.