Liquid delivery is a common laboratory process and this critical function is often overlooked. As a result, routine research and test results can be in error based on a simple misunderstanding or misapplication of liquid delivery instruments. This article focuses on defining and exploring accuracy and precision, which are fundamental elements of regulatory compliance.

As an example of the importance of accuracy and precision, in January 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent out more than 1,000 letters to drug product owners regarding a “lack of assay reproducibility between original and repeat results,” and in a related warning letter stated that because of lack of reproducibility “the reported concentration results cannot be considered accurate.” The laboratories involved have spent many thousands of hours and tens of millions of dollars responding to this situation. These sorts of events grab headlines and create excitement, but most of us prefer a less thrilling work experience.

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