The guarantee that the quality of a product (analytical data set, etc.) is actually
what is claimed on the basis of the
quality control applied in creating that product. Quality assurance is not synonymous with
quality control. Quality assurance is meant to protect against failures of
quality control.
Source:
PAC, 1990, 62, 2167
(Glossary of atmospheric chemistry terms (Recommendations 1990))
on page 2208