The Research Quality Association (RQA) is a not-for-profit membership association dedicated to advancing quality in scientific research. Founded in 1977, it originally operated as the British Association of Research Quality Assurance (BARQA) but adopted the current name in December 2012 to reflect its evolution into a global entity. RQA serves quality assurance professionals across pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, chemicals, medical devices, and associated sectors. It supports members through education, training, networking, and authoritative information dissemination, facilitating adherence to regulatory and quality standards worldwide.
RQA’s mission is to drive quality and integrity in scientific research by developing standards, fostering knowledge exchange, and promoting regulatory compliance. The association organizes numerous conferences, seminars, and training courses, covering core disciplines like Good Clinical Practice, Good Laboratory Practice, Good Pharmacovigilance Practice, and Good Manufacturing Practice. Membership comprises quality directors, managers, scientists, auditors, and other specialists from both regulated and non-regulated sectors, spanning commercial and non-commercial environments.
The firm actively engages with regulatory agencies such as the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) through committee participation and stakeholder consultations. It maintains collaborative agreements with global counterparts including the Society of Quality Assurance (SQA) in the US, Japan Society of Quality Assurance (JSQA), and European associations like DGGF (Germany) and SoFAQ (France). Through these networks, RQA promotes global harmonization of standards and best practices in research quality assurance.
As a lobbying entity registered in the EU Transparency Register, RQA advocates for robust quality standards and regulatory frameworks that support scientific integrity and public safety. Its lobbying efforts focus on influencing policies related to pharmaceuticals, medical devices, agrochemicals, and research compliance. By providing expert input, participating in advisory groups, and organizing knowledge-sharing platforms, RQA ensures that the interests of research quality professionals are represented in EU policymaking processes.
