Evidence Quality Assurance (EQA) within JNCC is an ongoing process about understanding, minimising and factoring in risks related to our evidence. Evidence encompasses any information that JNCC produces or procures including:
- Expert knowledge and advice
- Data
- Methodologies
- Results and interpretation of data analysis
- Summaries or syntheses of information
- Tools/websites
JNCC’s EQA Policy and Procedure aims to ensure that the evidence we produce and procure is of good quality and is fit for purpose. To support transparency and clearly outline our standards for quality assurance, the policy and procedure is available for partners, stakeholders and contractors to download. Whilst partners or contractors may have their own EQA procedures, the principles outlined in JNCC's EQA Policy must be adhered to when generating evidence with or on behalf of JNCC.
EQA Policy and Procedure
There are multiple benefits from following JNCC’s EQA Policy and Procedure, including:
- Results in better evidence - following a proportionate assurance process improves the quality, reliability, and robustness of the work.
- Supports improved decision-making - high-quality evidence, with any uncertainties and limitations clearly explained, helps decision-makers act with confidence and leads to better outcomes for nature.
- Aids staff development - being involved in EQA builds skills in review, analysis, and communication.
- Reduces risk - following a clear and documented EQA Procedure provides partners and stakeholders with confidence that all reasonable steps are taken to assure quality.
JNCC’s EQA Policy presents four principles that must be adhered to when producing evidence, regardless of whether the evidence is produced solely by JNCC, in partnership, or procured. These principles are:
- Proportionate EQA
- EQA throughout the lifecycle
- Verify and Validate
- Communicate uncertainty
The EQA Procedure outlines the six stages that JNCC staff follow in a proportionate manner to quality assure our evidence:
The EQA Policy and Procedure (version 18) were developed in 2026 following an in-depth review of the EQA Policy (version 17) and associated documents.
Visit our Resource Hub to access JNCC's Evidence Quality Assurance Policy and Procedure.
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