Quality assurance (QA) is a set of activities or processes within a business which ensures that goods/services produced satisfy customer requirements. QA seeks to avoid and minimise mistakes before they happen. This makes it different from quality control which identifies defects/mistakes after the fact.

QA can be adopted in any business and for any process. From administration to production, having procedures and processes in place provides a systematic and reliable methodology for running a business.

Different industries will use different standards and certifications as a recognition of quality.

One of the most broadly used is the International Organisation for Standardisation’s (ISO) 9000 and 14000 series of Quality System Standards.

The ISO 9000 series addresses "quality management", and the 14000 series addresses "environmental management."

While all firms should focus on quality and quality management, gaining a recognised quality certification can be helpful for businesses selling to government, multi-nationals or large corporations, and companies overseas.

QA can also be an important part of the risk management process, and any certification received should be used in a company’s marketing.

For more information on quality assurance/management, certification and standards, refer to the International Organisation for Standardisation.