Who is ultimately responsible for the technical operations ensuring laboratory quality?

The technical management is ultimately responsible for the technical operations ensuring laboratory quality because they have the authority and accountability for overseeing the quality management system within the laboratory. This role includes establishing quality policies, ensuring compliance with regulatory and accreditation standards, and managing the technical staff and their training.

Technical management is tasked with implementing effective quality control procedures, validating methods, and maintaining the technical integrity of laboratory operations. They are positioned to provide guidance and make decisions that directly impact the quality of results produced by the laboratory. While other roles such as quality assurance managers and laboratory personnel also contribute to quality, they do so within the framework set by technical management, making this group ultimately accountable for the overall quality of laboratory operations.

External assessors, while important for providing an objective evaluation of the laboratory's compliance with quality standards, do not manage or control the daily operations essential for maintaining quality. Therefore, their role is supportive rather than foundational in ensuring laboratory quality.