LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY | Secretary Aurelia S. Giacometto
A DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
LELAP is the Louisiana Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program.
LELAP is the program responsible for assessing and accrediting environmental laboratories that generate data that is submitted directly or indirectly to the Department of Environmental Quality. LELAP also assesses and accredits laboratories that generate data for the Department of Natural Resources with regards to Method Manual 29B. LELAP monitors laboratories to ensure compliance with state regulation and national standards. LELAP maintains a database that includes contact information, physical location, and matrix/method/analytes for each accredited laboratory. LELAP is one of 14 National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) recognized Accreditation Bodies.
The Louisiana Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program regulations were adopted May 1998. The Department of Environmental Quality was mandated by House Bill Number 1726 in 1988 and amended by Statue in 1995 by House Bill Number 1517 to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations providing for accreditation of commercial laboratories providing chemical analysis, analytical results or other appropriate test data to the Department. Private sector input was obtained in drafting the regulations as promulgated in 1998 and amended in 2000.
No. In-house laboratories and government laboratories are exempt from accreditation requirements. Also exempt are personnel monitoring services in accordance with LAC 33:XV.430.C and to those activities specifically licensed in accordance with LAC 33:XV.Chapter 3.Subchapter B, equivalent agreement state regulations, and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission regulations.
Accreditation is required for commercial laboratories that perform environmental analyses or tests for third parties for a fee or other compensation on behalf of any facility as defined in R.S. 30:2004, required by permit, required by order of the Department, included in a monitoring report, submitted by contract or required by Department regulation.
Laboratories must be accredited for all test methods and analytes for which the test data will be reported directly or indirectly to LDEQ. In addition, if LELAP program identifies performance test samples in different matrices, the laboratory must also make sure that it obtains, analyzes, and successfully passes performance tests of samples for all matrices that it will be testing.
LELAP is physically located in the LDEQ Headquarters Building, 602 N. Fifth Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802. Organizationally, LELAP is a Section of the Public Participation and Permit Support Division within LDEQ’s Office of Environmental Services.
Answer: LELAP may be contacted by: Phone: (225) 219-3247 E-mail: LDEQ.LabAccreditationProgram@la.gov or Tramecha.Rankins@LA.GOV Physical Location: 602 N. Fifth Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 4313, Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4313
The internet has become an excellent resource for official methods, including the US EPA web pages. The most usable and complete example is probably the National Environmental Methods Index (NEMI), a joint effort of EPA and USGS. (http://www.nemi.gov/ ) This index is free and searchable by source [for example HACH, or Standard Methods], instrumentation, keyword such as analyte name or CAS number or method number, and so forth. It includes regulatory and non-regulatory analyses. Searches of NEMI typically yield lists, and then single-page method summaries with hot links to sources. • EPA water methods required by the CWA and SDWA, as well as information on those regulations: http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/methods/ • SW846 methods: http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/hazwaste/test/sw846.htm • For a full set of Standard Methods, purchase the latest edition of the book and/or CD ROM: http://www.standardmethods.org/ • HACH methods beyond the single page summaries in NEMI: http://www.hach.com/hc/browse.product.category • Pesticide information and methods: http://www.epa.gov/oppbead1/methods/ Frequently a method is available as a .pdf file, which can be downloaded or printed. Government sources tend to be free, whereas there are generally fees at some commercial sites. You must check the Federal Register to determine which methods and revisions have been approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for regulatory testing.
Test category fees are assessed based on the methods and parameters listed on the scope of accreditation. Each method and/or parameter is assigned a test category. The facility will be invoiced for the test category(ies) per matrix to obtain accreditation for the subsequent fiscal year.
Renewal fees are application fees due every three years starting from the fiscal year the initial application was submitted to LELAP. A facility may use the application to request the addition of methods to the scope of accreditation during a renewal. Annual fees are the test category fees which are invoiced each year so that the facility will have accreditation the subsequent fiscal year.
Per the regulations and/or the 2009 TNI standard, facilities must report to LELAP changes of ownership, name, location, personnel, facilities, methods, or any factors significantly affecting the performance of analyses for which the facility was originally accredited within 30 days.
To obtain a new parameter for a scope, the applicant must supply a copy of the standard operating procedure if a new method is requested, analytical data package for new analyte(s) (one for accreditation by the state regulations and two for accreditation by the 2009 TNI standard), a copy of the quality assurance plan if it has been updated, and a signed hard copy of the certificate of compliance. If proficiency test studies are available, the results must be submitted by the provider (one for accreditation by the state regulations and two for accreditation by the 2009 TNI standard) and mentioned in the cover letter. For secondary accreditation, a copy of the current certificate and scope of accreditation must be submitted by the primary accreditation body; a link to the certificate and scope must be provided in the cover letter if it is available.
A signed hard copy on letterhead requesting the withdrawal is required at a minimum. LELAP will also accept a copy of the scope of accreditation with lines drawn through the withdrawn parameters. The scope must be initialed and dated with the cover letter.
To add a new test category to the scope of accreditation, the applicant must submit the standard operating procedure for the method assigned to the new test category, the analytical data package for new analyte(s) (one for accreditation by the state regulations and two for accreditation by the 2009 TNI standard), a copy of the quality assurance plan if it has been updated, and a signed hard copy of the certificate of compliance. If proficiency test studies are available, the results must be submitted by the provider (one for accreditation by the state regulations and two for accreditation by the 2009 TNI standard) and mentioned in the cover letter. For secondary accreditation, a copy of the current certificate and scope of accreditation must be submitted by the primary accreditation body; a link to the certificate and scope must be provided in the cover letter if it is available.
An assessment involves a determination onsite or offsite by LELAP personnel of the competence of a laboratory, based on the regulations or the national standard, for the methods and parameters requested by that laboratory’s application for accreditation. Assessments are performed every two years at a minimum, although they may be more frequent based on changes reported by the laboratory (ownership, key personnel, location, or scope of accreditation) or complaints received by LELAP. Assessments fees are charged by LELAP personnel as allowed by the Division of Administration, typically averaging $200-$300; assessment fees are also charged by contractors, typically averaging $4000- $5000.
The complete corrective action plan must be submitted on the Word document form provided by LELAP with a signed cover letter. In some cases, supporting information must be submitted. Completed corrective action documentation is not required.
When the corrective action plan involves drafting new procedures or revising existing procedures the corrective action plan must include provisions for training and follow up to ensure the effectiveness of the corrective action.
The NELAC Institute (TNI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to foster the generation of environmental data of known and documented quality through an open, inclusive, and transparent process that is responsive to the needs of the community. The organization is managed by a Board of Directors and is governed by organizational bylaws. More information on TNI is available at the TNI web site at: http://www.nelac-institute.org/
The NELAC Institute was created on November 6, 2006, when the respective Boards of Directors of the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) and the Institute for National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation (INELA) agreed to combine the two organizations into a single national accreditation program, The NELAC Institute (TNI). As reflected in the new name, The NELAC Institute (TNI) has combined the heritage of NELAC with the consensus standards development process of INELA into one organization.
Membership in TNI is open to any individual interested in laboratory accreditation in the private, public or academic sectors. The NELAC Institute has both individual members and organizational members. However, only individual members may vote. Membership fees for individuals are $75; organizations pay a sliding scale based on the level of commitment of the organization. Membership is open to all individuals or organizations interested in environmental laboratory accreditation.
NELAC is an acronym for the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference. NELAC was established as a cooperative association of States and Federal Agencies to develop and promote mutually acceptable performance standards for the operation of environmental laboratories. NELAC was merged into The NELAC Institute (TNI) on November 6, 2006 and formally dissolved on January 16, 2008.
NELAP is an acronym for the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program, which was established to implement the NELAC standards. NELAP has recognized 14 State programs as Accreditation Bodies. The functions of NELAP have also been incorporated into TNI.
The standards cover both analytical testing of environmental samples, administrative requirements, and the laboratory accreditation process. The purpose of the TNI Standards is to foster the generation of environmental laboratory data of known and acceptable quality on which to base public health and environmental management decisions.
Yes. The 2003 NELAC Standards will continue to be used by certain states until the TNI Standards have been fully developed and adopted.
Yes. Even though the laboratory has been granted accreditation by another accreditation body, the laboratory still must apply for and receive accreditation from LELAP in order to do testing for Louisiana.
Secondary Accreditation, also known as accreditation by recognition, is accreditation approved and granted by LELAP based on the accreditation granted by another Accreditation Body.
There is no reduced fee for secondary NELAC accreditation.
All laboratories that have been accredited or are seeking accreditation must perform a minimum of two PT studies per year for each Field of Accreditation, approximately six months apart.
Yes, all laboratories that have been accredited or are seeking accreditation must complete Proficiency Tests for all analytes. And the laboratory must receive an “acceptable” score for each analyte for two out of three consecutive PT studies.
No. LAC 33:I.4503 defines a “laboratory” as “any facility, whether fixed-based, mobile, or field, that analyzes environmental samples and that seeks accreditation by the department.” In accordance with that definition, stack testers are included in the definition of word “laboratory” for the purpose of accreditation.
No. In accordance with LAC 33:I.4711, all laboratories must satisfactorily complete two proficiency test studies per year for each field of testing. If proficiency test samples are not available for particular test categories, the laboratory must submit an “analytical data package.”
An “analytical data package” is described in the regulations as all relevant analytical methodology, technical information, and quality assurance results concerning a particular type of analysis for which there is no current proficiency testing program” (LAC 33:I.4711.B), In lieu of proficiency test results, the laboratory must submit documentation of the quality control performed for the analyses for which there are no approved proficiency test, along with a copy of the standard operating procedure and reference method.
Laboratories may select any PT provider from the list of NELAC Proficiency Test Providers at: PT Providers - The NELAC Institute (TNI)
Stack/Emission Testers may use an approved PT Provider from the list below: Air Gas Specialty Gas Durham North Carolina Please be advised that the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality has suspended until further notice the requirement for accredited stack testers to conduct proficiency test (PT) studies using double-blind mixtures of gases for instrumental methods. In lieu of the PT studies, currently accredited stack testers will be required to maintain calibration records, which will be reviewed by LELAP assessors upon request or at the time of the assessment. All stack testers shall maintain analytical data packages and retained maintenance records for the biennial assessments.There are 13 other states with NELAP-recognized Accreditation Bodies . If your laboratory is located in one of those states, please contact the state accreditation body to verify that it offers the scope of accreditation that you need. Otherwise, you may apply to any one of them. Some of the Accreditation Body programs are limited, and you may need to apply to more than one Accreditation Body to obtain accreditation for the methods and analytes that you will use to support LDEQ programs. If you apply to a program other than Louisiana, you will need to apply for secondary accreditation from LELAP.
In cases where there are different sets of applicable requirements, the laboratory must meet or exceed the most stringent/demanding requirements.
The Method Update Rule refers to recent changes in the list of EPA-approved tests and sampling procedures under the Clean Water Act and National Drinking Water regulations.
Three separate revisions to 40 CFR 136 have been published in the Federal Register, and are referred to collectively as the Methods Update Rule (MUR).
The MUR grants approval for a number of new and revised methods, and withdraws approval for a substantial number of methods that had previously been approved.
The current Clean Water Act EPA Method Update Rule 2021 can be found here:
Information on suitable ways to obtain traceability of measurement can be found that the following links:
American National Standards Institute - ANSI
National Institute of Standarhttp://www.nist.gov/index.htmlds and Technology
LELAP provides information regarding accredited laboratories, including those located outside the U.S.
Invoices & Accounts Receviables
Fees for the Louisiana Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program are assessed in accordance with Environmental Regulatory Code Title 33 Part I Subpart 3
New certificates will be mailed in June and go into effect in July. The certificate is effective for a term of one year, from July 1 - June 30.
Please contact us directly with your Agency Interest (AI) number, Invoice number, and correct address at the contact information below
Attn: Teyona James
LDEQ - Financial Services Division
PO Box 4303
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-4303
Phone: (225) 219-5337
Fax: (225) 219-3868
Email: Teyona.James@LA.GOV