Environmental Testing Is a Risky Business

Data Quality, Management & Review
Oral Presentation

Prepared by C. Kircher
Florida Departement of Health, 1217 N. Pearl Street, Jacksonville, Florida, 32202, United States


Contact Information: carl.kircher@flhealth.gov; 904-791-1574


ABSTRACT

Major revisions have been made to the international standard for competence of calibration and testing laboratories, upon which The NELAC Institute's Standards are based. The major changes are ensuring confidentiality and impartiality, as well as competency in laboratory testing activities. The primary tool for meeting these requirements will be risk assessment, so it is incumbent upon laboratories in the future (if not already) to include risk assessment in their internal audits, management reviews, and other conformity assessment activities. How does one assess risk, and how does one ascertain what risk(s) or what risk level(s) is acceptable? The presenter will illustrate various facets of risk assessment as could be applicable to environmental testing, thus encouraging ideas for accredited laboratories to use in complying with The NELAC Institute's Standards.