Demonstration of Competency Using the NEFAP-TNI Accreditation Program for a Field Sampling and Measurement Organization (FSMO)
Oral Presentation
Prepared by K. Watson
Stone Environmental Inc., 535 Stone Cutters Way, Montpelier, VT, 05602, United States
Contact Information: kwatson@Stone-env.com; 802-229-2196
ABSTRACT
In acknowledging the directive established by the USEPA, “Agency Policy Directive Number FEM-2012-02” which states: “This document establishes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (U.S. EPA’s or the Agency’s) policy requiring organizations generating or using environmental data under Agency funded assistance agreements or interagency agreements (if applicable) to submit documentation of their competency prior to award of the agreement.” Stone Environmental, Inc. determined that the one of the most effective and efficient ways to demonstrate that competency stated in the directive was to seek accreditation under the NEFAP TNI-Standard (FSMO-V1-ISO-2014-Rev.2.0) for field sampling and measurement organizations.
One of the primary goals for creating NELAP was to standardize the quality of laboratory data across many states and to minimize the differences in quality regulations and standards needed for laboratories to do work for the Agency and for States. The primary goal of the national field activities program (NEFAP) under TNI was to develop standards and assist in standardizing the quality of the sampling organizations across the country and to minimize the differences in quality regulations and standards needed for FSMOs. Stone Environmental determined that the TNI-NEFAP standards would be the best program to demonstrate competency in accordance with the FEM for its FSMO group. Stone already had the quality system and the policies in place to meet the NELAP standard for its mobile laboratory, therefore, it only made sense to incorporate the quality system required in accordance with the NEFAP standards into its organization. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the NEFAP TNI standards, tools available to help FSMOs to understand the standard, and the process for seeking accreditation under that standard. The presentation will go over the benefits of accreditation, key elements of the program, how to get started, and the inspection process.
Oral Presentation
Prepared by K. Watson
Stone Environmental Inc., 535 Stone Cutters Way, Montpelier, VT, 05602, United States
Contact Information: kwatson@Stone-env.com; 802-229-2196
ABSTRACT
In acknowledging the directive established by the USEPA, “Agency Policy Directive Number FEM-2012-02” which states: “This document establishes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (U.S. EPA’s or the Agency’s) policy requiring organizations generating or using environmental data under Agency funded assistance agreements or interagency agreements (if applicable) to submit documentation of their competency prior to award of the agreement.” Stone Environmental, Inc. determined that the one of the most effective and efficient ways to demonstrate that competency stated in the directive was to seek accreditation under the NEFAP TNI-Standard (FSMO-V1-ISO-2014-Rev.2.0) for field sampling and measurement organizations.
One of the primary goals for creating NELAP was to standardize the quality of laboratory data across many states and to minimize the differences in quality regulations and standards needed for laboratories to do work for the Agency and for States. The primary goal of the national field activities program (NEFAP) under TNI was to develop standards and assist in standardizing the quality of the sampling organizations across the country and to minimize the differences in quality regulations and standards needed for FSMOs. Stone Environmental determined that the TNI-NEFAP standards would be the best program to demonstrate competency in accordance with the FEM for its FSMO group. Stone already had the quality system and the policies in place to meet the NELAP standard for its mobile laboratory, therefore, it only made sense to incorporate the quality system required in accordance with the NEFAP standards into its organization. The purpose of this presentation is to discuss the NEFAP TNI standards, tools available to help FSMOs to understand the standard, and the process for seeking accreditation under that standard. The presentation will go over the benefits of accreditation, key elements of the program, how to get started, and the inspection process.
