Environmental Laboratory (NELAP) Accreditation

This page offers information on the Agency's National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP)

NEW LABORATORY UPDATES:

Laboratory Quality Managers

Quality Managers please send your updated email address to our Record Specialist at labprgms@tceq.texas.gov to ensure you are getting the most recent TCEQ Laboratory Accreditation Program updates.

Laboratories Claiming Accreditation Status

When the laboratory claims accreditation in communication media, such as the internet, documents, brochures, or advertising, the assessors will be ensuring the following:

- Accreditation symbols are the approved TNI symbols .
- Correct references to accreditation status on reports if the laboratory adds the TCEQ laboratory ID or TCEQ certificate ID:

- - Important Note: The laboratory does not have to include the laboratory ID or certificate ID on the report unless required by participating programs or for compliance. Please consult with the project/compliance officers.
  - If the TCEQ Certificate ID is used, then the correct certificate number must be referenced for the timeframe of the issued report.

Legacy Status for Previously Recognized Technical Managers

Any technical manager recognized by TCEQ through assessment reports or laboratory records prior to June 18, 2018, and is still serving as technical manager in the laboratory but does not meet the requirements per TNI V1M2 5.2.6.1, shall be recognized under the legacy procedure. This recognition is nontransferable meaning the recognition cannot be used at another laboratory or another discipline within the laboratory. The legacy procedure is not applicable to TNI V1M2 5.2.6.2.
Microbiology Proficiency Testing (TNI 2016: V1M1 4.3.4)

For all drinking water matrices, each method (e.g. Colilert® vs. Colilert-18®) will need to be analyzed and reported. For example, suppose a laboratory is accredited for Colilert®, Colilert-18®, and SimPlate® in drinking water. In that case, all three of these methods will need to be analyzed and reported twice each year to satisfy proficiency testing requirements.

Currently, not all laboratories comply with TNI 2016: V1M1 4.3.4 due to ambiguity in the citation. For this reason, all laboratories will be given a two-cycle (each proficiency test will count toward a cycle) grace period from the date of this email to become compliant. During the next on-site assessment after the two-cycle grace period, the assessor will evaluate compliance.

Method Update Rule (MUR)

The MUR update is voluntary and applies to entities that report analytical data to meet Clean Water Act (CWA) requirements. It's best to contact your CWA compliance/permitting/project officer to determine if effluent samples need to be processed using the newer methods and consider the end use of the data.

For laboratory accreditation, the current laboratory method listed in 40 CFR 136 can still be used unless required by the CWA compliance/permitting/project officer. TCEQ assessors will ensure the lab follows the most recent version, including the quality assurance/quality control requirements, during the on-site assessment.

If an assessor mentions that the technique is no longer authorized, you must notify your CWA compliance/permitting/project officer about the updates to 40 CFR 136. Suppose the lab chooses to update to the most recent version. In that case, assessors will ensure the lab follows the most recent version, including the quality assurance/quality control requirements during the on-site assessment.

State of Texas Accreditation

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) protects and improves the quality of the State's surface water and groundwater and ensures safe drinking water for its residents. This authority is granted in accordance with laws, policies, and rules established by the Texas Administrative Code, The NELAC Institute (TNI), and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. TCEQ laboratory accreditation program's rights and duties are defined by Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code chapter 25.

Accreditation is voluntary; however, the commission may accept environmental testing laboratory data and analyses for use in commission decisions regarding any matter under the commission's jurisdiction relating to permits or other authorizations, compliance matters, enforcement actions, or corrective actions only if the data and analyses are prepared by an environmental testing laboratory accredited by TCEQ.

An environmental laboratory must be accredited if producing data for commission decisions for one of the following (after July 1, 2008):

An environmental testing laboratory that provides analytical data relating to the Safe Drinking Water Act;
The laboratory provides analytical data that is used for a commission decision or
An in-house environmental testing laboratory is to be accredited if it allows for analytical data from a third party.

Exceptions are listed in Title 30 of Texas Administrative Code chapter 25.6 (30 TAC 25.6).

To safeguard the objectivity and impartiality of its activities, environmental laboratories within TCEQ are assessed by another accrediting body.

Application for Accreditation, Renewals, or Amendments

Application for accreditation is for laboratories requiring accreditation by the State of Texas with TCEQ. Effective January 31, 2020, laboratories are assessed against the provisions of the 2016 TNI NELAP standard. This link has the summary of changes in the standards:  Changes to the various standards used in the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) 

Laboratories will receive electronic copies of their certificates and scopes.  Hard copies will not be mailed.

An application is used to renew a laboratory's accreditation or amend the laboratory's scope of accreditation. Please review the instructions on page 14 of the application before application completion. The application can be found at the link below:

https://www.tceq.texas.gov/downloads/compliance/labs/tceq20132.pdf

Submit all laboratory accreditation-related documents electronically.  There is no need to follow up with hard copies.

The initial turnaround time for an application review is 45 days. Approval may take longer due to requests for additional information from the laboratory. Submission of requested documents promptly will ensure efficient application processing. Application progress can be checked here:

Accreditation applications in progress 

Submit all laboratory accreditation payments to TCEQ revenue section at the following address.  Do not submit them directly to the TCEQ Laboratory Accreditation Program.

The payment mailing address for USPS delivery is:

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Cashier's Cage
P.O. Box 13088, MC-214
Austin, TX 78711-3088

The payment physical address for overnight/non-USPS (ex: FedEx) mail deliveries is:

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Cashier's Cage
12100 Park 35 Circle
MC-214
Austin, TX 78753

IMPORTANT NOTE: TCEQ will not process your application until all fees have been received. All fees associated with accreditation are nonrefundable if the laboratory chooses to withdraw or a denied application. Contact us to verify fee calculations before sending any monies. Our phone number is (512) 239–3754. You may also email us at labprgms@tceq.texas.gov

Obligations of the Laboratory

The laboratory, without delay, shall notify the accreditation body of significant changes relevant to its accreditation, in any aspect of its status or operation relating to:

its legal, commercial, ownership, or organizational status
the organization, top management, and key personnel
main policies
resources and premises
scope of accreditation
other such matters that may affect the ability of the CAB to fulfill requirements for accreditation

Please notify the Program Manager at labprgms@tceq.texas.gov

State Rules for Fees and Accreditation

Title 30, Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 25   , Subchapters A and B (for a schedule of fees, refer to §25.30)

General information about the fees relating to accreditation can be accessed in the Texas Administrative Code for environmental testing laboratory accreditation and certification.

Suspending and Revoking Accreditation

The Program Manager or designee may initiate action to suspend a laboratory’s accreditation according to 30 TAC Chapter 80 , Contested Case Hearings. Reasons to deny accreditation application and revocation of accreditation, in whole or in part, are specified in 30 TAC 25.32 . Reasons to suspend a laboratory’s accreditation, in whole or in part, are specified in 30 TAC 25.34 , Suspension of Accreditation.

Laboratory Accreditation Procedure 6.0 Suspension and Revocation describes the requirements of concerning the suspension and revocation of laboratory accreditation, reinstatement of suspended accreditations, and appeals of suspensions and revocations.

Dropping Matrix, Method, and/or Analyte from Laboratory Field of Accreditation

If the laboratory opts to drop a matrix, method, and/or analyte from the field of accreditation, the laboratory must submit a signed letter, which can be found here: Parameter Withdrawal Request Form

If the laboratory has removed a matrix, method, and/or analyte that was previously accredited, it will have to go through the amendment process to add it back to the laboratory's field of accreditation. See the Application for Accreditation, Renewals, or Amendments process above.

Application for Technical Manager

Technical manager qualifications are based on one of the following general categories:

education and experience;
previous recognition or
exceptions.

To be recognized as a Technical Manager, an individual must meet the requirements from TNI V1M2 5.2.6.1 and the specific paragraphs within the standard for the different areas of recognition (e.g., chemistry, microbiology, etc.). A Technical Manager can also be recognized based on exceptions/previous recognition per TNI V1M2 5.2.6.2.

Technical Manager Qualification Form

Fields of Accreditation

Fields of accreditation (FoA) are the matrix, technology/method, and analyte combinations for which an environmental testing laboratory may be accredited. TCEQ's Laboratory Accreditation Program's FoAs can be found at the link below:

Fields of Accreditation

TNI LAMS is a central repository for information regarding the accreditation status of environmental laboratories.

The following link details the changes to TCEQ's FoAs:

History of Changes to the Fields of Accreditation 

List of Accredited Laboratories

The current list of accredited laboratories, with links to their scope of accreditation, can be found here:

List of Accredited Laboratories

For accessibility purposes, the list will open as a Word document with the list of laboratories accredited by TCEQ's Laboratory Accreditation Program under the standards adopted by the National Environmental Accreditation Program (NELAP). To access the interested laboratory's list of accredited analytes and methods, click the link under the Field of Accreditation column. An Excel document will open.

TNI Checklists

The accreditation team verifies laboratory compliance with The NELAP Institute's (TNI) 2016 Quality Systems standard using the checklist below. The Quality Systems checklist contains copyright-protected language from ISO/IEC 17025:2005.

A copy of the TNI checklist is available directly from TNI's web page:

2016 TNI Quality Systems checklist

Be advised that you must have a copy of the TNI Standard ELV1, Management and Technical Requirements for Laboratories Performing Environmental Analyses (2016) before you may download this checklist. If you have a copy, please ensure your copy is the 2016 version.

Complaints

To make a complaint, please get in touch with the Program Manager at labprgms@tceq.texas.gov

Contact Us

Our email address:

labprgms@tceq.texas.gov

This email is being monitored in real-time during regular office hours.

If you are sending administrative information, please include "Attention: Records Specialist" in the subject line of your email.

If you require additional information, including suitable ways to obtain measurement traceability, please include "Attention: Program Manager" in your email's subject line.

Our mailing address for USPS delivery is:

Texas Laboratory Accreditation Program
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 13087, MC-165
Austin, TX 78711-3087

Our physical address for overnight mail delivery/non-USPS delivery (ex: FedEx) is:

Texas Laboratory Accreditation Program

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

12100 Park 35 Circle, Bldg. B, MC-165

Austin, TX 78753

Laboratory Accreditation Processes Feedback

This feedback is for continual improvement of TCEQ Laboratory Accreditation Program. Your input is valuable in acknowledging and promoting positive changes.

In instances of ethical concern, report allegations of fraud, waste, or abuse related to TCEQ at Fraud@tceq.texas.gov.

Feedback for TCEQ Laboratory Accreditation Program

TCEQ Laboratory Accreditation Procedures

TCEQ's Laboratory Accreditation Team utilizes the procedures to ensure compliance with TNI's 2016 version of Volume 2 (EL-V2-2016-Rev 2.0) for accrediting bodies. The link below has been updated as revisions have been issued.

NELAP LAPS

TCEQ Laboratory Accreditation Traceability of Measurements

The following are elements to ensure traceability of results produced by the laboratory:

Ensure the calibration laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025.
Calibration certificates must contain measurement results, measurement uncewrtainty, and/or a statement of compliance with identifiable metrological specifications.
Retain records for all standards, reagents, reference materials, and
media, including the manufacturer/vendor of the manufacturer’s Certificate of Analysis or purity.
Maintain complete records on standard, reference material, and reagent preparation.
Maintain complete records on support equipment used for during storage and preparation of samples, standards, and reagents.

Note: Records shall be retained per requirements of TNI V1M2 4.13.3.

The laboratory shall use a calibration service supplier that is either a:

National Metrology Institute (NMI) recognized by BIPM (for example, NIST) OR
Service supplier accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 by an accrediting body

TCEQ Laboratory Accreditation Assessors

Laboratory accreditation staff have switched to a hybrid work schedule, with the bulk of the time spent working remotely.

Laboratory accreditation staff will not have immediate access to their phones.  They will check their messages periodically; however, a response may be delayed.  If possible, send an email message in conjunction with the voice message, as staff can access their emails immediately.

TCEQ Operating Budget

TCEQ laboratory accreditation program is a part of the environmental agency for the state. The operating budget can be found here: About Us - Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - www.tceq.texas.gov

Subscribe to Laboratory Accreditation Program email updates.

Go to this link: Get email or text updates on your choice of topics.

After entering your email address or phone number, select "Environmental Laboratory Accreditation" from the list. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Laboratory Actions

Appeals for Nonconformities

If the laboratory does not agree with a nonconformity, then the laboratory may reach out to the lead assessor who will forward the appeal to the Program Manager. The Program Manager will decide outcome of the appeal and notify the laboratory.

Corrective Actions and TCEQ's Corrective Action Response (CAR) Form

A corrective action (CA) is an action taken to address the effect(s) of a nonconformity, defect, or other undesirable situation (e.g., repair, rework); eliminate the causes of the nonconformity, defect, or other undesirable situation; and prevent recurrence. Some corrective actions must address critical nonconformities that significantly affect data quality or defensibility, including any repeat deficiencies from a previous assessment.

This form must be used by a laboratory to respond to a nonconformity identified during their TCEQ assessment.

CAR form

The following link supplies instructions and guidance for completing the CAR form and addressing C.A.s effectively:

CAR form instructions

Corrective Action Response Guidelines For TCEQ Accredited Laboratories (Presentation from 2017 Trade Fair)

Method Update Rule (MUR) for Laboratories

These are revisions to laboratory methods for non-potable water and drinking water, adding to FoAs for proficiency testing, and how these apply to your lab's accreditation.

MUR information