Quality Assurance Requirements

(1) In addition to the general requirements set forth at 310 CMR 43.43, the Candidate Site Identification Report should be prepared in accordance with the following quality assurance requirements: (a) The quality assurance program should specify the structure of the organization performing the work, the divisionofresponsibilities, and the location of project personnel withinthe organization. Persons responsible for the implementation or oversight of the quality assurance program and for technical oversight, review and approval should also be indicated on the organization chart. (b) The quality assurance program should include procedures to ensure quality in both the data acquisition and analysis program(e.g., samplingand testing methods, equipment calibration, sample custody, verification and validation of models) and information management (e.g., data management, tracking of changes, protection against transcription error). In general, procedures should be included for everyphase ofwork whose output has the potential to affect the results of the investigations or the conclusions to be drawn from the investigations. (c) The quality assurance program should provide for independent technicalreview, verification, and approval by persons not directly involved in the performance of the work. (d) The quality assurance program should provide for the ability to trace and audit all calculations, analyses, deductions, inferences, and project data. (e) The quality assurance program should provide for internal reviews and audits to verify that the program is functioning according to the written description. (f) The quality assurance program should provide a method for initiating corrective actions and verifying that they have been implemented. (g) The qualityassurance requirements of 310 CMR 41.63 should apply to all data and analyses used in the Candidate Site Identification Report, irrespective of whether such data and analysis have beenpreviouslyapplied oraccepted in connection with the Statewide Mapping and Screening Report or the Report Identifying Possible Locations.