A method for assessing the quality of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), the method comprising: applying a first voltage across the thickness of a first (MEA) passed through a nip of a first pair of rollers thereby providing a first charge to the first MEA; determining a first electrical figure of merit (FOM) of the first charged MEA at a first period of time; after the first period of time applying a second voltage across the thickness of the first (MEA) passed through a nip of a second pair of rollers thereby providing a second charge to the first (MEA); determining a second electrical (FOM) of the second charged first (MEA) at a second, later period of time; and calculating a total electrical (FOM) using the first and second electrical (FOM); and comparing the total electrical (FOM) to a predetermined quality value to assess the quality of the first (MEA).