Based on the acronyms ALCOA and ALCOA+, data must be attributable, legible, contemporaneous, original, accurate + complete, consistent, enduring and available (U.S. Food & Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency). ALCOA was developed to help laboratories, universities and companies implement data integrity. ALCOA+ principles were added to help responsible persons including executives, administrators and lab technicians handle data more easily and meet challenges related to electronic records. Read on about essential data integrity tips to keep your laboratory compliant.