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: 2009 TNI
Section: V1M2, Section 5.2.6.1 (a) and (b)
REQUEST:
With respect to the wording about experience, paragraph A, sentence number one states ".....and at least two (2) years of of experience in the environmental analysis of representative inorganic and organic analytes for which the laboratory seeks or maintains accreditation." Paragraph b sentence 2 states.... " In addtition, such a person shall have at least two (2) years of experience performing such analysis".
Question #1 : What is the difference between "..experience in the environmental analysis of..." , as stated in paragraph a and "...experience performing such analysis", as stated in paragraph b.
Question #2 : relating to the interpretation of "representative organic and inorganic analytes".... to what degree does methodology/technology coming in to play. Can the word "representative" be better defined?
We do not find anywhere in the document that requires experience in multiple technologies. For example, if the director has experience with Analyte A using an automated inorganic method (such as segmented flow) and experience with Analyte B using a conventional wet inorganic method (such as titration) but the lab runs analyte A wet and analyte B automated, would this person have the requisite experience in that area?
TNI FINAL RESPONSE:
(Quality Systems Expert Committee and NELAP AC, 4-7-14)
Question 1 - There is no difference in the meaning of the wording of the two paragraphs. Each refers to two years' experience in the analysis of samples. (not oversight/management of sample analysis).
Question 2 - Representative - exemplifying a group or kind; typical: a representative selection of analytical methods. A Technical Director must have experience in the typical methods/technologies used by the laboratory.