Who should participate: This one-hour course is directed toward water and wastewater superintendents, laboratory managers and analysts, quality control officers, and operators who perform laboratory or field measurements. The course will also benefit those who are responsible for the evaluation and reporting of data. This includes pretreatment coordinators, consultants, and industrial environmental engineers. The course is particularly well suited to those who are preparing for certification or accreditation.

Learning objectives: Attendees will learn how to design and implement quality systems consistent with industry-established guidelines. Upon completion, you will have a basic understanding of the main elements required in NELAP accreditation programs, and you will learn what is expected of a laboratory and how to prepare for the inspection. You'll also learn why laboratories that follow accepted standards are more likely to generate defensible data, resulting in better decision making. After the course, participants will know what elements are included as part of the accreditation process, how those elements contribute to generating defensible data, and where to look for resource material.

Course Description: The course serves as an introduction to the accreditation process. Attendees will discuss the requirements of NELAP and similar programs. Each of the standards of NELAP will be covered. The Web-ex format is a great forum for an open discussion with attendees. Often, attendees share audit experiences that benefit all members of the group.

Course Content:

NELAP Chapter 1: Program Policy and Structure Standard.
       •  Purpose & Scope of NELAC
       •  Roles & Responsibilities of Government, States & Other Parties
       •  Structure of NELAC Organization of Accreditation Requirements

NELAP Chapter 2: Proficiency Testing Program Standard.
       •  Introduction & Scope
                o Major PT Groups Requirements for PT Providers
                o Laboratory Enrollment & Requirements & Evaluation of PT Results
                o PT Criteria for Laboratory Enrollment

NELAP Chapter 3: Onsite Assessment Standard.
       •  On-Site Assessment Personnel
       •  Frequency & Types of On-Site Assessments
       •  Pre-Assessment Procedures
       •  Assessment Procedures
       •  Documentation of On-Site Assessments

NELAP Chapter 4: Accreditation Process Standard.
       •  Components of Accreditation
       •  Period of Accreditation
       •  Maintaining Accreditation
       •  Denial, Suspension, & Revocation of Accreditation
       •  Interim Accreditation

NELAP Chapter 5: Quality System Standard.
       •  Introduction & Scope
       •  Management Requirements
       •  Technical Requirements
       •  Demonstration of Capability
       •  Essential Quality Control Requirements
                o Chemical Testing
                o Toxicity Testing
                o Microbiology Testing

NELAP Chapter 6: Accrediting Authority Standard.
       •  General Provisions
       •  Application for NELAP Recognition
       •  On-Site Evaluation of the Accrediting Authority
       •  Use of Accreditation by NELAP Accredited Laboratories

NELAP Chapter 7: Field Activities Standard.
       •  General Sampling and Field Measurement Standard

  Click here to REGISTER for NELAP 01