Standard Operating Procedures Overview

Standard Operating Procedures Overview

A Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is a set of written instructions that document a routine or repetitive activity followed by an organization. The development and use of SOPs are an integral part of a successful quality system as it provides individuals with the information to perform a job properly, and facilitates consistency in the quality and integrity of a product or end-result. The term “SOP” may not always be appropriate and terms such as protocols, instructions, worksheets, and laboratory operating procedures may also be used. For this document “SOP” will be used.

SOPs describe both technical and fundamental programmatic operational elements of an organization that would be managed under a work plan or a Quality Assurance (QA) Project Plan [EPA Requirements for QA Project Plans (QA/R-5) (EPA 2001a)], or Chapter 5 of the EPA Quality Manual for Environmental Programs, (EPA Manual 5360 A) and under an organization’s Quality Management Plan [EPA Requirements for Quality Management Plans (QA/R-2) (EPA 2001b)], or Chapter 3 of the EPA Quality Manual. This document is designed to provide guidance in the preparation and use of an SOP within a quality system.