Focus on Global Terminology

This month’s terms:

Verification
Confirmation, through the provision of the objective evidence, that specified requirements have been fulfilled; NOTE: Confirmation can comprise activities such as: performing alternative calculations; comparing a new design specification with a similar proven design specifications; undertaking tests and demonstrations; and reviewing the document prior to issue.

Validation
Confirmation, through the provision of objective evidence, that requirements for a specific intended use or application have been fulfilled; NOTE: Some components of validation include quality control, proficiency testing, validation of employee competency, instrument calibration, and correlation with clinical findings.

Editor’s Note: For example, you can verify that a life preserver is a certain size, shape color, and made of certain materials; but then you must validate whether the life preserver works as you expect it to , i.e.,  does it provide the necessary buoyancy?

For complete details on these and other internationally accepted terms, visit the Harmonized Terminology Database.  In the database, find standard, internationally preferred terms and definitions, related terms, terms that are not acceptable in the international standards community, and illustrative notes and examples. [ return to top ]