Overview:QMS is the catch phrase for accreditation and is the backbone of ISO/IEC Standard 17025:2005. The Quality System Manual (QSM) is the bible in a QMS environment because, much like its predecessor, Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), it contains the policies that the laboratory is expected to follow to achieve quality results. It is in fact only the "what to do" component of a QMS. What is also needed are the "how to do it" or procedures and methods and finally the controls or evidence that it was done properly. Why should you attend?Many laboratories struggle with developing and implementing a functional quality management system that not only complies with the management and technical requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2005 but also meets their needs. Once accreditation has been achieved many laboratories have difficulty maintaining the QMS as evidenced by the number of non-conformances cited during the subsequent biannual audits. Why do you want to become accredited? Where do you start? For laboratories that are already accredited, how do you ensure staff adherence and ongoing compliance to minimize corrective actions arising from accreditation audits?