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Ensuring the Competency of Environmental Data Generation by Accreditation

Webcast

Course Description:

This course provides a comprehensive update and review of accreditation programs, with a focus on their historical development, current standards, and the distinctions between certification and accreditation within the context of environmental laboratories, field operations, proficiency testing, and accreditation bodies. The evolution of these programs from their inception is discussed, detailing the challenges and complexities that arose from varying state and federal requirements, the emergence of quality control measures, and the efforts towards standardization and improving laboratory competence.

The course also delves into the specifics of TNI's accreditation programs, covering four main areas: laboratories, field operations, proficiency testing, and accreditation bodies themselves. It also touches on the significance of ISO standards and how they relate to and differ from TNI's approach, emphasizing the importance of formal demonstrations of competency and the distinctions between certification and accreditation in this context. A historical perspective is provided, highlighting the lack of standardized quality control and accreditation prior to the 1970s, the introduction of the EPA's certification program for drinking water laboratories, and the eventual establishment of TNI and its standards. The discussion further explores the implications of these developments for laboratories, including the challenges of navigating multiple, sometimes conflicting, state and federal requirements.

Expected Benefit of Training

Upon completion of the course, the attendee will have an understanding of the evolution, significance, and current practices of accreditation programs in environmental testing, aimed at enhancing the competency and reliability of laboratories and related organizations.

Intended Audience:

This course is designed for everyone.

 

Fees:
FREE

Format:
Webcast

About Webcasts: Upon receipt of your payment, you will receive a special link by e-mail to watch the webcast on your computer. The link is time-limited: you will have full access to the webcast and any associated handouts for 6 months after receipt of payment, at which time the link will expire. Webcasts cannot be downloaded; they are intended for viewing on your computer only during the 6-month window. If you have any questions, please contact Ilona Taunton at [email protected].

Length:
2 hours

Presented By:

Jerry Parr and Marlene Moore

About the Presenter:

Jerry Parr is the Principal Scientist with Catalyst Information Resources, a company focused on providing current relevant information on environmental laboratory issues. He also serves as the Executive Director for The NELAC Institute, serves on the Advisory Board for the Environmental Laboratory Washington Report, and is the conference organizer for the National Environmental Monitoring Conference. He has a BS in Chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin and has 40 years of experience in environmental analytical chemistry.

Marlene Moore founded Advanced Systems, Inc. in February 1992 as a consulting company specializing in quality systems for laboratory and sampling operations. She brings together the needs of quality system management, measurement operations and regulatory compliance.

Marlene Moore has worked and managed sampling and testing laboratories for over twenty years before providing her expertise to others. Current work includes assessing for laboratory accreditation programs to ISO/IEC 17025 and assessing to ISO/IEC 17065 for conformity assessment certification programs. Assessments are performed for A2LA, ANAB and ANSI. Additional assessor and auditor training was completed under the EPA Safe Drinking Water Program for State certification laboratory auditors for inorganic, organic and microbiology and as an ISO auditor for ISO 9000. Formerly an RAB ASQ/ANSI registered auditor.



The NELAC Institute
P.O. Box 2439
Weatherford, TX 76086
Tel. 817.598.1624
Fax. 817.904.4370

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