The Society of Quality Assurance is a 501 professional organisation founded in 1984 that works to organise and promote quality assurance in Good Laboratory Practices regulated non-clinical laboratory environments. As of 2001, it had over 1200 members in 16 countries. SQA is a member-driven professional association supporting the quality of research conducted in the life-sciences and environmental toxicology fields through quality assurance principles and practices. SQA offers a wide range of education, mentoring, QA professional registration, publication, web-based information services, career development and networking opportunities. Today, SQA is a global organization with members in more than 11 countries and regional chapters throughout the US and in several international regions, including Canada, India and Nigeria. SQA has established liaison relationships through Memorandums of Understanding with most international associations supporting the quality assurance profession.
History
SQA was established in 1984 as a grassroots gathering of Quality Assurance Professionals interested in implementing the Good Laboratory Practices. As the Society grew, membership interest expanded to include both EPA and FDA GLPs, Good Clinical Practices, Good Manufacturing Practices. Today SQA membership includes over 2,000 professionals working in contract research organizations, academia, industry and consultancies. Membership also includes students who are interested in a career in life or environmental sciences. Members focus on quality issues in both regulated and non-regulated research and manufacturing to support research and manufacturing quality, integrity and continual improvement.
Quality Assurance Professionals
The Society of Quality Assurance is a professional membership society dedicated to promoting and advancing the principles and knowledge of quality assurance essential to human, animal and environmental health. SQA is an innovative leader in providing professional development, education and training; creating collaborative relationships with governmental authorities, professional organizations, academia and industry; and participating actively in the regulatory processes related to human, animal and environmental health. SQA defines quality assurance as the systems and practices in research that ensure that scientific quality is maintained, thereby ensuring scientific integrity, reproducibility and interpretation. The purpose of quality assurance is to ensure a world with safe foods, drugs, chemicals and medical devices for humans, animals and the environment. SQA promotes research quality by providing an organization for Quality Assurance professionals to receive education, training and professional development.
SQA Specialty Sections and Committees
Members participate in specialty sections to address topics of interest. Specialty sections provide a forum to:
Encourage interaction between professionals in the industry;
Provide members with updates on proposed and/or new regulations, emerging issues and regulatory trends;
Develop informative training and educational opportunities on special topics;
Provide an opportunity for members to foster liaisons and interactions with professionals, professional organizations and regulatory agencies with related interests to maximize information exchange.
SQA Committees are a combination of volunteer, appointed and elected positions and serve to further the society's mission.
Mentoring Program
There is a professional mentoring program to support individuals who wish to develop in their current or move into another area.
Registered Quality Assurance Professional (RQAP)
SQA is dedicated to the career advancement of professionals in the field and is offers the professional credential Registered Quality Assurance Professional. RQAP is a recognized standard in the QA industry and worldwide. SQA offers a professional registration system for individuals practicing quality assurance in GCP and GLP environments. Registration requires both job experience in Quality Assurance and demonstrated knowledge. Exams are offered several times a year both nationally and internationally.
SQA Publications
SQA publishes a newsletter, Quality Matters, and technical articles throughout the year.
SQA Learning Foundation
In 2014, SQA created a subsidiary Learning Foundation to create education offerings in support of furthering the education and careers of quality assurance professionals. SQA Headquarters is in Charlottesville, VA. For more information see www.sqa.org and www.sqa-lf.org.
