An Overview of the TNI National Environmental Field Activities Program (NEFAP)

Presented by Katie Strothman and Tracy Szerzen
Contact Information: [email protected] and [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The NELAC Institute (TNI) recognizes the critical role accreditation plays across environmental sectors, including laboratory operations as well as field sampling and measurement activities. TNI is the only organization that has developed a dedicated accreditation program specifically for Field Sampling and Measurement Organizations (FSMOs): the TNI National Environmental Field Activities Program (NEFAP).

The TNI NEFAP program consists of two primary standards: TNI NEFAP Volume 1, which establishes requirements for FSMOs, and TNI NEFAP Volume 2, which defines requirements for Accreditation Bodies. Through implementation of a robust quality management system, FSMOs can achieve standardized processes and practices that support the generation of reliable and defensible sampling and field measurement data.

The TNI NEFAP Volume 1 standard is based on the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Standard, while also including best-practice requirements specific to field sampling and measurement operations. The TNI NEFAP Volume 2 incorporates elements of the TNI Environmental Laboratory Volume 2 Standard and ISO/IEC 17011:2011 for Accreditation Bodies. To ensure program integrity and consistency, Accreditation Bodies participating in the program are evaluated by TNI every four years.

This presentation will provide participants with an overview of key TNI NEFAP Volume 1 requirements, the structure of the accreditation program, and the steps involved in the accreditation process.