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Last changed: 09/03/2006
Measured data used for scientific assessment and associated political decisions must be scientifically sound and have a known and high level of data quality. In order to facilitate this a Quality Assurance (QA) system was established within the GAW program.
Scientific Advisory Groups (SAGs) develop DQOs and provide the guidelines and recommendations for all QA related issues. These are implemented by Quality Assurance / Science Advisory Centres (QA/SAC) which build the core of the GAW QA system. QA/SACs have the worldwide responsibility for the components, which they have chosen. So far QA/SACs have been established in the United States of America, Japan, Switzerland and Germany. The role of the QA/SACs within the GAW network is shown in the diagram below.
Structure of the GAW QA System
(adopted from V.A. Mohnen et al., QA/SAC Germany, Final Report,
2001)
In 2000 the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) has established QA/SAC Germany.
It took over the worldwide responsibility for the quality assurance of
For each of these compounds indicated above World Calibration Centres (WCC) have been established. They are funded by QA/SAC Germany (UBA)
The main tasks of QA/SAC Germany are to
An integral part of QA/SAC Germany is the GAW Training and Education Centre (GAWTEC), run at the Environmental Research Station Schneefernerhaus (UFS). Since 2004 UBA has taken over about 60 % of the costs, and the state of Bavaria another 40 %. From 2001 until end of 2005 10 training sessions were held with approximately 100 Trainees from 5 continents.
