ACILsThirdPartyEnvironmentalLaboratoryAccreditation.docVIP

American Council of Independent Laboratories (ACIL) White Paper Economic Benefits of National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Using an Alternative Accreditation Process Executive Summary. The environmental laboratory accreditation process has been traditionally operated and maintained by State regulatory agencies for all commercial laboratories that produce data for regulatory purposes. Until 2000, interstate coordination of accreditation programs did not exist, with each State requiring a diverse range of accreditation requirements for laboratories regardless of their demonstrated competency in other States. Each State performed individual assessments, evaluated proficiency test sample data and charged application fees to offset the cost of the program at great expense to the laboratory community. At the conclusion of a long development process, several States launched a voluntary National accreditation program with the assistance of the United States Environmental Protection Agency. This program contains uniform accreditation standards that are administered by participating States, which, by design, eliminate divergent State to State requirements, multiple laboratory assessments and proficiency test sample analysis while establishing rules for interstate accreditation recognition. These changes have resulted in substantial savings to both the laboratory community and the State agencies. They also established a uniform quality standard for environmental laboratories that is based on international requirements for laboratory accreditation. The development of the accreditation standards was eventually migrated to a private sector consensus standards development organization. Fifteen states actively accredit laboratories using this program. However, the program is recognized by the majority of states and over 2000 environmental laboratories are accredited. Since 2000, the program has matured and is now being managed by an independent 501(c) 3 organi