LAC 33:I.4707. Fees

A. Testing laboratories applying for accreditation or renewal of accreditation shall submit the appropriate fee calculated from the fee schedule along with the required application or update materials. Fees are nonrefundable. Fees are based on the number of test categories in each matrix (matrices). B. In-house laboratories owned and/or operated by the state, local, or federal government are exempt from the fee requirements paid to the department, but shall make appropriate application for accreditation in accordance with other provisions of these regulations. Required proficiency samples shall be purchased by the laboratory and the required third-party audit shall be billed directly to the laboratory. C. The annual fees shall not be prorated and shall apply in full to any portion of the fiscal year that remains prior to the annual renewal date (July 1). D. The following basic fee structure shall be used in determining all application and annual fees due to the department. Accreditation application fee payable every scope amendment and every three-year renewal | $726 Per major test category per matrix payable every year | $363 Minor conventional category payable every year | $290 Annual surveillance and evaluation applicable to minor conventional facilities and facilities applying for only one category of accreditation | $363 Annual fee for dependent mobile laboratories, per mobile lab | $363 Proficiency samples biannually | to be purchased by the laboratory Bioassay/biomonitoring annually | to be purchased by the laboratory Third-party audit | to be billed directly to the laboratory The accreditation fees for in-state laboratories receiving national accreditation (NELAP) | shall be one and one-half times the regular fee as stated above The accreditation fees for out-of-state laboratories receiving state accreditation | shall be one and one-half times the regular fee as stated above The accreditation fees for out-of-state laboratories receiving national accreditation (NELAP) | shall be two times the regular fee as stated above Interim accreditation application fees | shall be two times the regular fee as stated above E. Additional fees may be charged for the expansion of accreditation to include new test categories. Accreditation shall be granted only after fees have been received. F. Travel expenses incurred by representatives of the department, traveling within and outside of the state of Louisiana, conducting an assessment/inspection for the purpose of accreditation shall be reimbursed by the laboratory. These rates shall be in accordance with the Division of Administration state general travel regulations, within the limits established for state employees. G. Methods of Payment 1. All payments made by check, draft, or money order shall be made payable to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and mailed to the department at the address provided on the invoice. 2. Electronic Methods of Payment a. Persons wishing to make payments using the electronic pay method should access the department’s website and follow the instructions provided on the website. b. Persons wishing to make payments using the electronic funds transfer (EFT) method should contact the Office of Management and Finance for further instructions. 3. Cash is not an acceptable form of payment. H. Late Payment Fee 1. A late payment fee of 15 percent may be applied to an invoice remaining unpaid after a period of 90 days from the date of the invoice. This late payment fee shall be calculated based on the total outstanding amount of the invoice.