The application of non-target analysis (NTA), a comprehensive approach to characterize unknown chemicals, including chemicals of emerging concern has seen a steady increase recently. Given the relative novelty of this type of analysis, robust quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) measures are imperative to ensure quality and consistency of results obtained using different workflows. Due to fundamental differences to established targeted workflows, new or expanded approaches are necessary; for example to minimize the risk of losing potential substances of interest (i.e. false negatives, Type II error). We present an overview of QA/QC techniques for NTA workflows published to date, specifically focusing on the analysis of environmental samples using liquid chromatography coupled to HRMS. From a QA/QC perspective, we discuss methods used for each step of analysis: sample preparation, chromatography, mass spectrometry, and data processing. We then finish with a series of recommendations to improve the quality assurance of NTA workflows.

最近，非目标分析（NTA）的应用在稳步增长，这是一种用于表征未知化学品（包括新兴关注的化学品）的综合方法。鉴于此类分析的相对新颖性，必须采用可靠的质量保证和质量控制（QA / QC）措施，以确保使用不同工作流程获得的结果的质量和一致性。由于已建立的目标工作流程存在根本差异，因此需要新的或扩展的方法；例如，最大程度地减少丢失潜在的感兴趣物质的风险（例如，假阴性，II型错误）。我们介绍了迄今为止已发布的NTA工作流程的QA / QC技术的概述，特别侧重于使用液相色谱与HRMS耦合对环境样品进行分析。从质量检查/质量控制的角度来看，我们讨论了用于分析的每个步骤的方法：样品制备，色谱，质谱和数据处理。然后，我们提出了一系列建议，以提高NTA工作流程的质量保证。