The quality assurance (QA) program helps identify an area, program, or equipment and system that is not compliant with what?

The quality assurance (QA) program is designed to assess and ensure that processes, systems, programs, and equipment meet certain predetermined criteria or expectations. It helps identify any non-compliance, which is essential for maintaining the integrity and reliability of operations.

Standards refer to established norms or requirements about how things should be done or performed within an organization. They ensure consistency and quality in products and services. When a QA program identifies an area that is not compliant with standards, it addresses discrepancies that could lead to suboptimal performance or outcomes. This could include deviations from industry benchmarks or internal best practices that ensure quality and effectiveness.

While specifications, regulations, and policies are also important in their own right, the primary focus of quality assurance programs is generally tied to meeting established standards that ensure processes perform at the required level. Thus, identifying non-compliance with standards is a critical component of a QA program's role in ongoing quality improvement efforts.