LAC 33:I.4703. Application for Accreditation

A. An applicant for environmental laboratory accreditation must be legally identifiable and possess a permanent business address and telephone number. The applicant laboratory must have the staff and resources in order to satisfactorily accomplish those analyses/tests for which accreditation is requested. B. An application for environmental laboratory accreditation shall be made in writing to the Office of Environmental Assessment, using the current application provided by the department. This application shall include all requested information and be accompanied by the appropriate application fee. Supplemental information may be required. C. Laboratories maintained on separate premises, even though operated under the same management, shall be required to maintain distinct accreditation. If a laboratory is located outside of the state of Louisiana, it shall be considered a separate and distinct laboratory and shall require individual accreditation. Separate accreditation is not required for buildings on the same or adjoining grounds. If a mobile laboratory is operating independently within the state, separate accreditation may be necessary. D. Each laboratory shall identify an official to represent it in all matters related to attaining and maintaining environmental laboratory accreditation. This official shall be the point of contact with the laboratory and shall be known as the laboratory representative. The laboratory representative may be any senior person from either the technical or managerial staff. The laboratory shall designate an individual in a position of authority to ensure that the laboratory complies with the criteria and conditions for accreditation. The laboratory shall also designate an individual who has the authority to bind the company in a legal manner. E. In cases where all application requirements have been met, including review of all methods and quality assurance program data, a status of interim status, as defined in LAC 33:I.4503.A, may be granted at the discretion of the department on a case-by-case basis. Interim status may not exceed one year in length. Before a laboratory is granted full accreditation, all requirements of these regulations shall be met.