Successful Private/Public Sector Collaborations

Presented by:

Chris Gunning

A2LA Environmental Sciences

Program Manager

Why Collaborations are Successful

Programs can be catered to specific regulator needs but are based on common international consensus standards ISO/IEC 17011 and ISO/IEC 17025.

Collaborations enable varying degrees of oversight by the state and federal agencies based on their comfort level.

These collaborations place the costs of accreditation on the laboratories being assessed/audited.

Collaborations

1. State of Washington Department of Ecology

2. Kentucky Underground Storage Tank Laboratory Accreditation Program (UST)

3. State of Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EDP)

4. Wyoming Leaking Aboveground & Underground Storage Tank (LAUST)

5. Department of Defense Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (DoD ELAP)

6. National Environmental Field Activities Program (NEFAP)

Washington Department of Ecology

Environmental laboratories that prepare data for submission to certain state agencies and programs are required to be accredited by WAC 173-50.

Environmental Assessment Program (EAP) Lab Accreditation Unit (LAU) is charged with implementing this regulation.

WAC 173-50-010: The purpose of this chapter is to establish a state program for accreditation of environmental laboratories which conduct tests and submit data to the Department of Ecology, the Department of Health, and other entities which require the use of accredited laboratories.

Washington Department of Ecology

Standard Operating Procedure for the Accreditation of Environmental Laboratories

Accreditation by a recognized third party (such as A2LA or Army Corps of Engineers).

Kentucky UST

Under Kentucky statute KRS 224.60-130(2)(a), the Office of the Petroleum Storage Tank Environmental Assurance Fund has established criteria to accredit laboratories that contract with owners or operators of underground storage tanks (UST) to perform analytical testing related to Kentucky’s underground storage tank program .

UST owners and operators must have analytical testing performed at an accredited laboratory.

This program was initiated in 1999.

Georgia EDP Background • Section 12-2-9 of the Official Code of Georgia

requires that “all commercial analytical laboratories submitting data for regulatory purposes shall be accredited or approved as specified in the EDP rules and regulations.”

• Chapter 391-3-26-.04 in the EDP rules and regulations requires the EDP to establish an MOU with accrediting agencies for recognition of laboratories in Georgia.

• Original Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was entered into on February 18, 2000 between the Georgia EDP and private Accrediting Body (AB). MOU is valid for 4 year intervals.

Georgia EDP Oversight

EDP recognition is dependent upon a satisfactory evaluation of the AB.

AB must assess to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 and any specific environmental requirements.

When accrediting for drinking water analysis, the assessment shall follow guidelines contained in the “Manual for Certification of Laboratories Analyzing Drinking Water-Criteria and Procedures Quality Assurance.”

Georgia EDP Oversight

AB must maintain a list of accredited laboratories (scope of accreditation, date that accreditation is valid, and expiration date). AB must assess laboratory at least once every 2 years. AB must provide information (records of onsite assessment, information used to make accreditation decision, and any complaints against accredited laboratory) to the EDP upon request. AB must allow EDP associates to accompany assessors during on-site assessments.

Wyoming LAUST Background

On March 1, 2001 the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality/Water Quality Division’s (WDEQ) Leaking Aboveground and Underground Storage Tank (LAUST) Program notified laboratories that they would begin use of the Program’s Policy Number 35. LAUST Policy 35 requires WDEQ to establish criteria to accredit laboratories to perform testing under the LAUST Remediation Program. Required that laboratories wishing to continue work under LAUST to become accredited by December 31, 2011.

Wyoming LAUST Oversight

Laboratories are required to submit an “Application for Certification for the Wyoming LAUST Program”.

Laboratories must submit proof of their current accreditation.

Certification is valid for 2 years.

AB must keep current on the list of approved analytes issued by LAUST.

DoD ELAP Background

On December 24, 2008 the Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health) issued a memorandum establishing the Department of Defense (DoD) Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (DoD ELAP).

DoD Environmental Data Quality Workgroup (EDQW) was tasked with providing oversight of this program.

4 ABs were recognized based on signatory status to ILAC MRA (International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation Mutual Recognition Agreement), and agreement to abide by the conditions and criteria set for by DoD ELAP.

DoD ELAP Conditions and Criteria

AB must maintain ILAC MRA signatory status.

AB must operate in accordance with ISO/IEC 17011 “Conformity assessment: General requirements for accreditation bodies accrediting conformity assessment bodies.”

AB must allow EDQW to attend its ILAC MRA peer evaluation.

AB informs EDQW of upcoming assessments and must submit to observation by EDQW personnel.

DoD ELAP Conditions and Criteria

AB must participate in meetings with the EDQW (monthly teleconference and yearly face to face) as part of continual improvement efforts for the DoD ELAP. AB must assess to the requirements for ISO/IEC 17025, 2003 NELAC Chapter 5, and the DoD Quality Systems Manual (QSM). AB must provide the EDQW with assessment reports and accreditation information. AB must maintain DYNEX spreadsheet of accredited laboratories on EDQW website.

DoD ELAP Successes

4 ABs have combines to accredit over 100 laboratories to the DoD ELAP requirements. Now more labs accredited for use by the DoD than when the individual armed forces branches performed the accreditations. More time and resources for the associated DoD personnel that were involved in performing assessments to focus on development and revision of regulations as well as project specifications. Greater consistency of accredited laboratories.

NEFAP/FSMO

National Environmental Field Activities Program (NEFAP) Executive Committee is to establish and implement an accreditation program for field sampling and measurement organizations (FSMOs).

The NELAC Institute (TNI) Standard for FSMOs is modeled after ISO/IEC 17025:2005 "General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories."

TNI Standard Volume 1 is the FSMO Competency Standard.

TNI Standard Volume II is the FSMO Accreditation Body (AB) Requirements to Accredit FSMOs.

NEFAP/FSMO

ABs are required to apply for recognition to the NEFAP Executive Board.

ABs must submit to periodic review by the NEFAP Executive Boards of its implementation of the program.

Benefits of Collaborations

Greater consistency between assessments.

High level of technical competence of assessors.

High level of confidence in ABs based on the requirement for peer evaluations.

State and Federal agencies maintain oversight of their individual programs.

Increase in state resources that were dedicated to performing assessments and managing accreditations.

Questions and Contact Information

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Chris Gunning – Environmental Sciences Program Manager

Email: cgunning@A2LA.org

Phone: 240-575-7481

Web: www.A2LA.org