[en] In this paper the rate equations which describe the production of thermoluminescence in simple system are re-examined. A new function is introduced, q(T), which describes how close a system is to quasi-equilibrium during the production of TL. These functions relate to physically meaningful quantities (i.e. the various rates of recombination, retrapping and excitation) and are closely related to the 'kinetic-order function', P(T). By the introduction of these functions the quasi-equilibrium approximation is bypassed and several conclusions can be reached with regard to the validity of the approximation. Furthermore, a more exact equation describing the shape of a monomolecular TL glow peak is derived and this new equation is used to discuss the differences in shape which might be expected between the simplified Randall-Wilkins equation and the actual glow curve under conditions where quasi-equilibrium is a poor assumption. The errors are also discussed which are likely to accrue in an evaluation of the trap depth and the frequency factor in cases where the quasi-equilibrium assumption is unjustified. (author)