La. Admin. Code tit. 33 § I-4709

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

Section I-4709 - Inspection of Laboratory

A. As a condition of obtaining and maintaining accreditation, a laboratory shall permit and facilitate inspections by personnel or designated representatives of the department. The specific requirements of an on-site inspection are outlined in LAC 33:I.Chapter 51.

B. Inspectors shall conform to appropriate safety procedures during an on-site inspection. The authorized representatives of the department who perform the on-site evaluation must be experienced professionals and hold at least a bachelor's degree in a science-related field with technical experience in a laboratory. The representative(s) must successfully complete a laboratory certification course presented by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, or other department-approved training group.

C. Regular inspections of accredited laboratories shall be conducted at intervals of not more than two years. Such inspections shall be conducted by representatives of the department upon presentation of credentials. Prior to granting initial accreditation and after all documentation provided to the department has been reviewed, an announced on-site laboratory inspection shall be performed.

D. Inspections may include on-site proficiency test sample(s) analyses but shall not exceed 10 percent of the test parameter(s) but must maintain minimum of one test. If there is a cost for these samples, the department will bill the laboratory, and the laboratory shall remit within 30 calendar days.

E. Laboratories that utilize mobile and/or field laboratories shall not be required to certify each laboratory individually. The mobile and/or field facilities shall be considered a part of the fixed-based laboratory and shall be required to participate in performance evaluation studies. Mobile and/or field laboratories shall not be exempt from any applicable requirements of an on-site evaluation as outlined in LAC 33:I.Chapter 51. Mobile and/or field laboratories may be inspected at the discretion of the department. In the event an organization is composed entirely of mobile and/or field laboratories and no fixed-based laboratory exists, the business address of the organization shall be utilized as the location for accreditation purposes.

F. Fixed-base laboratories that have moved to a new location shall be inspected within 30 calendar days after the laboratory has notified the department, in writing, of such change in location as required in LAC 33:I.5707.

G. The department shall reserve the right to inspect or observe the testing procedure(s) of the laboratory if such action is deemed necessary by the department.

La. Admin. Code tit. 33, § I-4709

Promulgated by the Department of Environmental Quality, Office of the Secretary, LR 24:920 (May 1998).

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