develop consensus standards for use by TNI's programs. This group has a support role in assisting other programs with activities such as guidance and standards interpretation.
fosters the generation of data of known and documented quality is through the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program, or NELAP. The purpose of this program is to establish and implement a program for the accreditation of environmental laboratories.
is to establish and maintain a national PT program to support TNI’s National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program, and other activities.
Field Activities Program (NEFAP) Executive Committee is to establish and implement an accreditation program for field sampling and measurement organizations (FSMOs).
Audit Sample Program is to develop consensus standards for the manufacture and analysis of audit samples for source emission testing.
on a variety of topics of interest to the environmental measurement community. TNI also hosts two regularly scheduled meetings per year, typically in January and August. Both are a week long and involve open meetings of TNI committees as well as training courses and other special sessions.Previous TNI Conferences
The 2022 summer Forum on Environmental Accreditation occurred in Crystal City, VA from August 1-5, 2022. This meeting was the sixteenth combined meeting of the Forum with the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC). The technical presentations from the NEMC meeting can be found at https://envirosymposium.group/meeting/2022/techprog.php.
The 2022 winter Forum on Environmental Accreditation occurred in San Antonio, TX from January 17-21, 2022.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 summer Forum on Environmental Accreditation was held as a hybrid on-site/virtual conference in Bellvue, WA from August 2-12, 2021. This meeting was the fifteenth combined meeting of the Forum with the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC). The technical presentations from the NEMC meeting can be found at https://envirosymposium.group/meeting/2021/techprog.php.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 winter Forum on Environmental Accreditation was held as a virtual conference January 25-29, 2021. Click here to download presentations from this conference.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 summer Forum on Environmental Accreditation was held as a virtual conference from August 3-21, 2020. This meeting was the fourteenth combined meeting of the Forum with the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC). The technical presentations from the NEMC meeting can be found at https://envirosymposium.group/meeting/2020/techprog.php.
The 2020 winter Forum on Environmental Accreditation occurred in Newport Beach, CA from February 3-7, 2020.
The 2019 summer Forum on Environmental Accreditation occurred in Jacksonville, FL from August 5-9, 2019. This meeting was the thirteenth combined meeting of the Forum with the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC). The technical presentations from the NEMC meeting can be found at www.nemc.us.
The 2019 winter Forum on Environmental Accreditation occurred in Milwaukee, WI from January 28-31, 2019.
The 2018 summer Forum on Environmental Accreditation occurred in New Orlenas, LA from August 6-10, 2018. This meeting was the twelth combined meeting of the Forum with the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC). The technical presentations from the NEMC meeting can be found at www.nemc.us.
The 2018 winter Forum on Environmental Accreditation occurred in Albuquerque, NM from January 22-25, 2018.
The 2017 summer Forum on Environmental Accreditation occurred in Garden Grove, CA from August 7-11, 2017. This meeting was the eleventh combined meeting of the Forum with the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC). The technical presentations from the NEMC meeting can be found at www.nemc.us.
The 2017 winter Forum on Environmental Accreditation occurred in Houston, TX from January 23-26, 2017.
The 2016 summer Forum on Environmental Accreditation occurred in Garden Grove, CA from August 8-12, 2016. This meeting was the tenth combined meeting of the Forum with the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC). The technical presentations from the NEMC meeting can be found at www.nemc.us.
The 2016 winter Forum on Environmental Accreditation occurred in Tulsa, OK from January 25-28, 2016.
Final Program (pdf)
The 2015 summer Forum on Laboratory Accreditation occurred in Chicago, IL from July 13-17, 2015. This meeting was the ninth combined meeting of the Forum with the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC). The technical presentations from the NEMC meeting can be found at www.nemc.us.
The 2015 winter Forum on Laboratory Accreditation occurred in Crystal City, VA from February 2-5, 2015.
Final Program (pdf)
The 2014 summer Forum on Laboratory Accreditation occurred in Washington, DC from August 4-8, 2014. This meeting was the eighth combined meeting of the Forum with the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC). The technical presentations from the NEMC meeting can be found at www.nemc.us.
The 2014 winter Forum on Laboratory Accreditation occurred in Louisville, KY from January 27-30, 2014.
Final Program (pdf)
The 2013 summer Forum on Laboratory Accreditation occurred in San Antonio, TX from August 5-9, 2013. This meeting was the seventh combined meeting of the Forum with the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC). The technical presentations from the NEMC meeting can be found at www.nemc.us.
The 2013 winter Forum on Laboratory Accreditation occurred in Denver, CO from January 14-17, 2013.
The 2012 summer Forum on Laboratory Accreditation occurred in Washington, DC from August 6-9, 2012. This meeting was the sixth combined meeting of the Forum with the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC). The technical presentations from the NEMC meeting can be found at www.nemc.us.
The 2012 winter Forum on Laboratory Accreditation occurred in Sarasota, FL from January 30-February 2, 2012.
The 2011 summer Forum on Laboratory Accreditation occurred in Bellevue, WA from August 15-19, 2011. This meeting was the fifth combined meeting of the Forum with the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC). The technical presentations from the NEMC meeting can be found at www.nemc.us.
The 2011 winter Forum on Laboratory Accreditation occurred in Savannah, GA from January 31-February 4, 2011.
The 2010 summer Forum on Laboratory Accreditation occurred in Washington, DC from August 9-14, 2010. This meeting was the fourth combined meeting of the Forum with the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC). The technical presentations from the NEMC meeting can be found at www.nemc.us.
The 2010 winter meeting of The NELAC Institute (TNI) occurred in Chicago, Illionis from January 25-29, 2010.
Presentations at the general and keynote sessions included:
General Session
Activities of EPA�s Environmental Laboratory Advisory Board (ELAB), David Speis�������
Update on TNI, Jerry Parr
Assessment Forum
Consistency Improvement Task Force Presentation, Alfredo Sotomayor
Assessing Continuous Improvement, Bob DiRienzo�������
Updates on Methodology and Initiatives �����������������������������������
- SW-846 method clarifications and initiatives, Kim Kirkland
- Drinking Water methods and flexibility, Greg Carrol��������
Topics of Confusion for Assessors and Laboratories, Bob DiReinzo and Silky Labie������
The Role of the State Lab Association in the Environmental Testing Industry
- Jan Wilson OELA Oregon Environmental Lab Association
- Peter Priniski, MELA - Michigan Environmental Lab Association
- Judy Graves, NYAAEL - New York Association of Approved Environmental Labs & PaAAEL - Pennsylvania Association of Approved Environmental Labs
- Stacie Metzler, Virginia Lab Practices Committee
- Paul Junio, WELA - Wisconsin Environmental Lab Association
Mentor Session: Detection and Quantitation Limits
8:30 Concepts of Detection, Richard Burrows
9:15 TNI Limit of Detection, Brooke Connor
10:30 Verification Options for LOD, Richard Burrows
The 2009 summer Forum on Laboratory Accreditation occurred in San Antonio, Texas from August 10-15, 2009. This meeting was the third combined meeting of the Forum with the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC). The technical presentations from the NEMC meeting can be found at www.nemc.us.
Over 400 attendees enjoyed the Riverwalk, while working on a number of issues related to environmental laboratory accreditation. TNI committees held public meetings during the week. In addition, a number of special sessions were held, including an assessment forum, a keynote presentation, and two mentoring sessions. Minutes from the committee meetings are contained in the minutes from those committees.
Presentations at the 2009 summer meeting included:
Mentoring Workshop: The New TNI Laboratory Accreditation Standards
- Management and Technical Requirements for Laboratories Performing Environmental Analysis
- General Requirements for Accreditation Bodies Accrediting Environmental Laboratories
- General Requirements for Environmental Proficiency Test Providers
- General Requirements for an Accreditor of Environmental Proficiency Test Providers
- Mentor Session: Method Modifications
- Keynote Presentation: The Benefits of National Accreditation
The 2009 winter meeting of The NELAC Institute (TNI) occurred in Miami, Florida from January 12-15, 2009. Over 250 attendees enjoyed the warm weather of southern Florida, while working on a number of issues related to environmental laboratory accreditation. Sixteen TNI committees held public meetings during the week. In addition, a number of special sessions were held, including a session on the DMRQA program, an assessment forum, two keynote presentations, two mentoring sessions, and one general session. Minutes from the committee meetings are contained in the minutes from those committees.
Presentations at the general and keynote sessions included:
- General Session: Implementation of the New TNI Accreditation Standards
- General Session: TNI Efforts to Assist Small Laboratories
- General Session: Status of Potential New Accreditation Bodies
- Virginia
- Minnesota
- General Session: The Benefits of Laboratory Accreditation
- Keynote Presentation: The National Database of Accredited Laboratories
- Keynote Presentation: Implementation of a National Program for the Accreditation of Field Sampling and Measurement Organizations
- Assessment Forum: Review of the New TNI PT Standard
- Assessment Forum: Non-Standard Methods
The summer 2008 Forum on Laboratory Accreditation had 475 attendees. This meeting was the second combined meeting of the Forum with the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC). The technical presentations from the NEMC meeting can be found at www.nemc.us. The conference featured a keynote presentation on the future of the laboratory accreditation.
Fourteen TNI committees held public meetings during the week. In addition, a number of special sessions were held, including an assessment forum and a mentoring session. Minutes from the committee meetings are contained in the minutes from those committees.
The 2008 winter meeting of The NELAC Institute (TNI) occurred in Newport Beach, California from January 14-17, 2008. Over 200 attendees enjoyed the warm weather of southern California, while working on a number of issues related to environmental laboratory accreditation. Updates of the key programs of TNI were provided in general sessions held throughout the week. In addition, TNI Chair Judy Duncan provided an update on the TNI strategic planning effort.
Sixteen TNI committees held public meetings during the week. In addition, a number of special sessions were held, including a session on air proficiency testing (PT), an assessment forum, and a mentoring session. Minutes from the committee meetings are contained in the minutes from those committees.
On January 18, the TNI Board of Directors and Committee Chairs met in a public meeting to continue the work on the TNI strategic plan. As a result of this effort, a draft operational plan was written during the meeting. Over the next few months, this plan will be finalized and made available to TNI members.
In addition to updates from TNI committees, presentations at the meeting included:
- Conducting a Successful Management Review
- Alternative Sample Matrix/QC Models
- Effective Manual Integration Review and Documentation
- Effectively Closing Out Corrective Actions
- Overview of TNI Standards for Field Sampling & Measurement
- Auditing ICP Metals (200.7 and 6010B)
- Auditing an Analytical Method
- Small Laboratory Challenges
- Assessing Sample Matrix Effects
- The On Site Assessment: Do's and Don'ts
- Complying With the Confusing Requirements for LOD, LOQ, and Verification of Reporting
- Data Usability, A Case Study
- Decision Making by TNI Committees and Boards
- Accreditation Body Committee Update
- Identifying Deficiencies and Implementing Corrective Actions
- Comparison Accreditation Body Fee Structures
- A Guide for the Assessment of EPA 1664A
- Frequently Asked Questions of Accreditation Bodies
- Auditing a Quality System Process
- Auditing Essential Quality Control Elements: LCS/MS
- Standard Interpretation Update
The Forum on Laboratory Accreditation held in Denver from January 28 through February 2, 2007 was a productive meeting with close to 250 attendees. This meeting was the first meeting since INELA and NELAC decided to combine operations in November, 2006.� The highlight of the meeting was the extensive working sessions of the new TNI committees.� The meeting opened with a recognition of everyone in attendance who had served on a committee in either of the two previous organizations.� The meeting also featured the debut of two events that were highly attended and well received, the Assessment forum and a Mentoring Session. In addition to updates from TNI committees, presentations at the meeting included:
- The Formation of the NELAC Institute
- Partnering NELAC and INELA
- TNI The New Organization
- TNI Accreditation Standards
- Proficiency Testing Management
- Secondary Accreditation
- Water Methods Update Rule
- Microbiological Testing
- The Art of Biochemical Oxygen Demand
- Consistency and Interpretation of Assessments
- Common Findings in Laboratory Assessments
- Field Activities Committee Presentation
Denver 2007 Presentations