develop consensus standards for use by TNI's programs. This group has a support role in assisting other programs with activities such as guidance and standards interpretation.
fosters the generation of data of known and documented quality is through the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program, or NELAP. The purpose of this program is to establish and implement a program for the accreditation of environmental laboratories.
is to establish and maintain a national PT program to support TNI’s National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program, and other activities.
Field Activities Program (NEFAP) Executive Committee is to establish and implement an accreditation program for field sampling and measurement organizations (FSMOs).
Audit Sample Program is to develop consensus standards for the manufacture and analysis of audit samples for source emission testing.
on a variety of topics of interest to the environmental measurement community. TNI also hosts two regularly scheduled meetings per year, typically in January and August. Both are a week long and involve open meetings of TNI committees as well as training courses and other special sessions.Standard Interpretation
Standard: 2003 NELAC
Section: 5.4.5.4
Link to relevant standard
REQUEST:
What is the documentation needed as the 'record of evidence of compliance'? Our clients are asking for our NELAP certificate, PT results, insurance certificates and QA manual. But we interpret this statement to mean having the NELAP certificate on file.
TNI FINAL RESPONSE:
(Quality Systems Expert Committee and NELAP AC, 11-8-12)
The requirements outlined in 5.4.5.1 refer to a subcontracted laboratory and the tests to be performed. They are 1) the laboratory is accredited under NELAP for the tests or 2) the laboratory meets the statutory or regulatory requirements for performing the tests. In the case of the first requirement, the NELAP Certificate that identifies the accredited test would meet the requirement. If other statutory or regulatory requirements exist, the laboratory must be prepared to provide documentation to indicate that these additional requirements have been met. However, under "Service to the Client" (NELAC 5.4.7), the laboratory shall cooperate with the client "to monitor the laboratory's performance.... provided that the laboratory ensures confidentiality to other clients."