The adoption of Total Quality Management (TQM), integrated with Six Sigma (“zero defect”) and Lean Thinking (“no waste”) methodologies in laboratory management, is closely linked to sustainability. TQM practices enhance organizational capabilities in achieving ecological performance objectives. The Quality System of laboratories and professional organizations must include Continuing Education and foster the awareness that each individual can take concrete action toward sustainability. Within the Quality System, for the implementation of recommendations concerning chemical agents, energy, water, and waste, as well as the guidelines of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (EFLM) aimed at the green certification of laboratories, internal partnerships within the organization—with suppliers and with Clinical Engineering and Heath Trust HTA—are essential. Clinical Engineering and Heath Trust HTA can play a proactive role in equipment assessment with regard to sustainability, in the application of the European In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) EU/2017/746, in the dematerialization and interoperability of ICT systems, and in risk management and cybersecurity.

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