Standard Operating Procedure

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-026562",
  "term": "Standard Operating Procedure",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. A standard operating procedure (SOP) is a step-by-step procedure that promotes uniformity in operations to help clarify and augment such operations. SOPs document the way activities are to be performed to facilitate consistent conformance to technical and quality system requirements and to support data quality. The use of SOPs is an integral part of a successful quality system because SOPs provide individuals with the information needed to perform a job properly and facilitate consistency in the quality and integrity of a product or end result. SOPs also provide guidance in areas in which the exercise of professional judgment is necessary and specify procedures that are unique to each task.\n\n2. A document that details the method for an operation, analysis, or action with thoroughly prescribed techniques and steps to be followed. It is officially approved as the method for performing certain routine or repetitive tasks.\n\n3. A written document that details an operation, analysis, or action with thoroughly prescribed techniques and steps, and that is approved for performing certain routine or repetitive tasks.\n\n4. A written document that details the method for an operation, analysis, or action with thoroughly prescribed techniques and steps, and that is officially approved as the method for performing certain routine or repetitive tasks.\n\n5. A written document which details an operation, analysis, or action whose mechanisms are prescribed thoroughly and which is commonly accepted as the method for performing certain routine or repetitive tasks.\n\n6. A written document that details the method of an operation, analysis, or action whose techniques and procedures are thoroughly prescribed and which is accepted as the method for performing certain routine or repetitive tasks.\n\n7. Formal written procedure officially adopted by the plant owner or operator and available on a routine basis to those persons responsible for carrying out the procedure.[40 CFR 61.61 (CFR 2013)]\n\n8. A written document outlining an analytical method which provides a level of detail intended to allow advanced analysts or analysts familiar with the method outlined in the SOP to perform that analytical method.\n\n9. A written document which details the method of an operation, analysis or action whose techniques and procedures are thoroughly prescribed and which is accepted as the method for performing certain routine or repetitive tasks.",
  "abbreviation": "SOP",
  "subject": "Policy and guidance",
  "references": [
    "Waste and Cleanup Risk Assessment Glossary",
    "Guidance for Quality Assurance Project Plans",
    "Great Lakes: Quality Management Training - Data Review Glossary",
    "Great Lakes: Quality Management Training - Quality Glossary",
    "Radon Glossary of Terms",
    "Glossary: Study of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources; EPA Study of the Potential Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing on Drinking Water Resources: Progress Report at http://www.epa.gov/hfstudy/pdfs/hf-report20121214.pdf",
    "40 CFR 63.12005 (CFR 2013)",
    "Forum on Environmental Measurements (FEM) Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/standard-operating-procedure/"
}