Popescu, B. A.Stefanidis, A.Nihoyannopoulos, P.Fox, K. F.Ray, S.Cardim, N.Rigo, F.Badano, L. P.Fraser, A. G.Pinto, Fausto J.Zamorano, J. L.Habib, G.Maurer, G.Lancellotti, P.2018-08-222018-08-222014Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging. 2014 Jul;15(7):717-272047-2404http://hdl.handle.net/10451/34537Published on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved © The Author 2014Standards for echocardiographic laboratories were proposed by the European Association of Echocardiography (now the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging) 7 years ago in order to raise standards of practice and improve the quality of care. Criteria and requirements were published at that time for transthoracic, transoesophageal, and stress echocardiography. This paper reassesses and updates the quality standards to take account of experience and the technical developments of modern echocardiographic practice. It also discusses quality control, the incentives for laboratories to apply for accreditation, the reaccreditation criteria, and the current status and future prospects of the laboratory accreditation process.engAccreditationReaccreditationEchocardiographyEchocardiography laboratoryQuality standardsjournal article10.1093/ehjci/jeu039