La. Admin. Code tit. 33 § I-4501

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section I-4501 - Description and Intent of Program

A. Description and Intent of the Laboratory Accreditation Program

1. These regulations provide requirements for an accreditation program specifically applicable to commercial laboratories, wherever located, that provide chemical analyses, analytical results, or other test data to the department, by contract or by agreement, and the data is:

a. submitted on behalf of any facility, as defined in R.S. 30:2004;

b. required as a part of any permit application;

c. required by order of the department;

d. required to be included on any monitoring reports submitted to the department;

e. required to be submitted by contract; or

f. otherwise required by department regulations.

2. The department laboratory accreditation program is designed to ensure the accuracy, precision, and reliability of the data generated, as well as the use of department-approved methods in the generation of that data. Laboratory data generated by commercial environmental laboratories that are not accredited under this Subpart shall not be accepted by the department.

B. This accreditation covers the following matrices:

1. air emissions;

2. nonpotable water;

3. solid and chemical material; and

4. biological tissue.

C. Each matrix, as defined in LAC 33:I.4503, is divided into test categories. Applications for accreditation may be made for one or more test categories within specified matrices. The laboratory shall identify in the application the specific department-approved methods it will be using for each test category. The laboratory shall also have participated in all relevant department-approved proficiency testing programs and shall indicate this at the appropriate box or location on the application. Any variance from approved protocol or procedure is acceptable only with prior written confirmation by the department.

D. Applicants must have an acceptable quality control system and associated documentation. Accreditation earned from other states or regulatory agencies may be accepted by the department, provided that a review shows that the requirements are no less stringent than those required by these regulations. Reciprocity with other state accreditation programs will be reviewed by the department, and if the requirements of these regulations are met, then accreditation may be granted.

E. This Subpart shall not apply to the following:

1. laboratory analyses programs accredited under the regulatory and statutory authority of the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals; and

2. personnel monitoring services in accordance with LAC 33:XV.430.C and to those activities specifically licensed in accordance with LAC 33:XV.Chapter 3.Subchapter B, equivalent agreement state regulations, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations, Title 10 Code of Federal Regulations.

La. Admin. Code tit. 33, § I-4501

Promulgated by the Department of Environmental Quality, Office of the Secretary, LR 24:917 (May 1998), amended by the Office of Environmental Assessment, Environmental Planning Division, LR 26:1434 (July 2000), LR 29:312 (March 2003), Amended by the Office of the Secretary, Legal Division, LR 43932 (5/1/2017).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 30:2011.