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NELAP’s Non-governmental Accreditation Body Recognition Process – Perspectives of an NGAB
Oral Presentation
Prepared by R. Querry
A2LA, 5301 Buckeystown Pike, Suite 350, Frederick, MD, 21704, United States
Contact Information: rquerry@A2LA.org; 301-644-3221
ABSTRACT
On April 1, 2009, the Department of Defense Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (DoD ELAP) announced that it is relying on the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) arrangement to implement the DoD ELAP laboratory accreditations.
The ILAC Arrangement, which entered into effect January 1, 2001, provides a technical underpinning to international trade by promoting cross-border stakeholder confidence and acceptance of accredited laboratory data.
Domestically, a key purpose of the ILAC Arrangement is in assisting to allow government agencies to concentrate their efforts and expertise on regulatory enforcement and oversight activities by relying on independent third party accreditation of quality control testing laboratories. This at present holds increasing significance in this time of budgetary constraints.
The fact that DoD ELAP formally recognizes the ILAC Arrangement affirms its confidence in the non-governmental laboratory accreditation process. This recognition relies on the accreditation bodies to facilitate and conduct the on-site assessments, evaluate corrective action responses to deficiencies identified during the on-site assessments, and granting the accreditations. On-site assessments occur on a regular cycle usually set at two-year intervals.
Additionally, once accreditation is granted, the accreditation bodies are responsible for monitoring the laboratories on-going participation in proficiency testing.
This governmental-private sector relationship results in an effective, robust accreditation program which identifies a group of public and private sector environmental testing laboratories, that regardless of size are qualified to conduct analyses associated with environmental remediation. This helps to allow the DoD to focus more of its attention on project-specific management while overseeing the accreditation program. The DoD ELAP and other governmental models will be explained.
Oral Presentation
Prepared by R. Querry
A2LA, 5301 Buckeystown Pike, Suite 350, Frederick, MD, 21704, United States
Contact Information: rquerry@A2LA.org; 301-644-3221
ABSTRACT
On April 1, 2009, the Department of Defense Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (DoD ELAP) announced that it is relying on the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) arrangement to implement the DoD ELAP laboratory accreditations.
The ILAC Arrangement, which entered into effect January 1, 2001, provides a technical underpinning to international trade by promoting cross-border stakeholder confidence and acceptance of accredited laboratory data.
Domestically, a key purpose of the ILAC Arrangement is in assisting to allow government agencies to concentrate their efforts and expertise on regulatory enforcement and oversight activities by relying on independent third party accreditation of quality control testing laboratories. This at present holds increasing significance in this time of budgetary constraints.
The fact that DoD ELAP formally recognizes the ILAC Arrangement affirms its confidence in the non-governmental laboratory accreditation process. This recognition relies on the accreditation bodies to facilitate and conduct the on-site assessments, evaluate corrective action responses to deficiencies identified during the on-site assessments, and granting the accreditations. On-site assessments occur on a regular cycle usually set at two-year intervals.
Additionally, once accreditation is granted, the accreditation bodies are responsible for monitoring the laboratories on-going participation in proficiency testing.
This governmental-private sector relationship results in an effective, robust accreditation program which identifies a group of public and private sector environmental testing laboratories, that regardless of size are qualified to conduct analyses associated with environmental remediation. This helps to allow the DoD to focus more of its attention on project-specific management while overseeing the accreditation program. The DoD ELAP and other governmental models will be explained.