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Environmental Laboratory Assessments - Basic Assessor Training

June 12 to 16, 2023
Virtual Event

Course Description:

This course provides examples and a basic understanding of the assessment processes, within the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) framework. The basic principles for assessing environmental laboratories are presented. A summary of the 2016 TNI Environmental Laboratory standards and practical examples for implementation of assessment techniques are an integral portion of this training course.

Upon successful completion of training, participants should be familiar with the specific requirements of TNI standards, and the criteria for the application of these requirements to their assigned role as an assessor.

The rationale for assessing must be based on proven quality principles that allow the determination of adherence to the defined system.  The system standards used during this course are the TNI Environmental Laboratory 2016 standard, and the ISO/IEC 17025:2005 “General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories” standard. Conducting an assessment of a laboratory system using quality principles and techniques allows personnel with a basic science background to assess operations and assure conformance to the stated management system.

The course presents the fundamentals of how to assess laboratories. These fundamentals include:

  • Promotes uniformity of laboratory assessments performed to obtain Environmental Laboratory accreditation following the TNI EL Standard.
  • Provides an overview of the TNI Standards and the Environmental Laboratory (EL) accreditation process.
  • Understanding the difference between assessments, audits, certification, registration and accreditation
  • Effective tips and techniques for conducting assessments.
  • How to write findings; prepare and present the assessment report and evaluate non-conformances from laboratories
  • The basic elements of reviewing proficiency testing performance and performing assessments of management systems.
  • Facilitates information exchange among assessors and laboratories.

The course also provides personnel with guidance on assessing quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) requirements to acquire technically and legally defensible environmental data from laboratory operations. The list of references provided in the course materials will further your understanding and provide specific information.

This class does not address the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard and ISO/IEC 17011:2017 which are anticipated for the next TNI EL standard.

Click here for a PDF containing more information about the course agenda, course notes, and certificates.

Intended Audience:

  • Quality Assurance Personnel
  • Laboratory Assessors

Cost:

$450 per person for Federal, State and Local Governments
$550 per person for TNI members
$700 per person for TNI Non-members

Prerequisite: Students must read the 2016 TNI EL Standard before coming to class. A pretest is given at the start of class to ensure the students familiarity with these standards.

Have available During class: Hard copy or electronic copy of the 2016 TNI Environmental Laboratory Standard Volume 1 and Volume 2.  Materials (Exercises, checklist, course book, evaluation) are emailed to you prior to the start of the class.


Format:
Webinar

Start Date:
Monday 12th June 2023, 11:00am EDT

Length:
5 days (4-5 hours/day)

Presented By:


Marlene Moore

About the Presenter:
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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