A large variety of laboratory equipment, instruments, and computerized analytical systems, ranging from simple nitrogen evaporators to complex multiple-function technologies (see Instrument Categories), are used in the pharmaceutical
industry to acquire data to help ensure that products are suitable for their intended use. An analyst’s objective is to
consistently obtain reliable and valid data suitable for the intended purpose. Depending on the applications, users validate their procedures, calibrate their instruments, and perform additional instrument checks, such as system suitability
tests and analysis of in-process quality control check samples to help ensure that the acquired data are reliable. With the
increasing sophistication and automation of analytical instruments, an increasing demand has been placed on users to
qualify their instruments.