WAC 173-50-040   Definitions.  Definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter, unless context clearly indicates otherwise.

     "Accreditation" - the formal recognition by the department that an environmental laboratory is capable of producing accurate and defensible analytical data. This recognition is signified by issuance of a written certificate accompanied by a scope of accreditation indicating the parameters for which the laboratory is accredited.

     • The term "accredit" as used in this chapter is intended to have the same meaning as the term "certify" as used in RCW 43.21A.230.

     • Any laboratory accredited under this chapter shall be deemed to have been certified under RCW 43.21A.230.

     • The department does not, by accrediting any laboratory pursuant to these rules, vouch for or warrant the accuracy of any particular work done or report issued by that laboratory.

     "Accuracy" - the degree to which an analytical result corresponds to the true or accepted value for the sample being tested. Accuracy is affected by bias and precision.

     "Analytical data" - the recorded qualitative and/or quantitative results of a chemical, physical, biological, microbiological, radiochemical, or other scientific determination.

     "Department" - the state of Washington department of ecology when the term is not followed by another state designation.

     "Drinking water certification manual" - the Environmental Protection Agency Manual for the Certification of Laboratories Analyzing Drinking Water, 4th Edition, March 1997.

     "Ecology accrediting authority" - the supervisor of the lab accreditation unit of the environmental assessment program of the department of ecology.

     "Environmental laboratory" - a facility:

     • Under the ownership and technical management of a single entity in a single geographical locale;

     • Where scientific examinations are performed on samples taken from the environment, including drinking water samples; and

     • Where data is submitted to the department of ecology, department of health, or other entity requiring the use of an accredited laboratory under provisions of a regulation, permit, or contractual agreement.

     "Lab accreditation unit" - the lab accreditation unit of the environmental assessment program of the department of ecology.

     "Mandatory analytical method" - a recognized written procedure for acquiring analytical data which is required by law or a regulatory agency of the federal, state, or local government.

     "Matrix" means the substance from which a material to be analyzed is extracted, including, but not limited to, ground or surface water, wastewater, drinking water, air, solid waste, soil, tissue, nuclear waste, and hazardous waste. For the purposes of establishing a fee structure (WAC 173-50-190(4)), matrices are grouped as follows:

     • Nonpotable water;

     • Drinking water;

     • Solid and chemical materials; and

     • Air and emissions.

     NELAP accreditations may include other matrices as designated in the NELAC standards.

     "NELAC" - the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference, a voluntary association of state and federal agencies.

     "NELAC standards" - the standards for laboratory accreditation published by NELAC, September 5, 2001.

     "NELAP" - the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program governed by NELAC.

     "Out-of-state laboratory" - a laboratory that is not located in the state of Washington.

     "Parameter" - a single determination or sampling procedure, or group of related determinations or sampling procedures using a specific written method.

     "Procedural manual" - the Procedural Manual for the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program dated November 2002.

     "Proficiency testing (PT)" - evaluation of the results from the analysis of samples, the true values of which are known to the supplier of the samples but unknown to the laboratory conducting the analyses. PT samples are provided by a source external to the environmental laboratory.

     "Quality control" - activities designed to assure analytical data produced by an environmental laboratory meet data quality objectives for accuracy and defensibility. Those activities may include routine application of statistically based procedures to evaluate and control the accuracy of analytical results.

     "Quality assurance (QA)" - activities intended to assure that a quality control program is effective. A QA program is a totally integrated program for assuring reliability of measurement data.

     "Quality assurance manual" - a written record intended to assure the reliability of measurement data. A QA manual documents policies, organization, objectives, and specific QC and QA activities. Volume and scope of QA manuals vary with complexity of the laboratory mission.

     "Recognized analytical method" - a documented analytical procedure developed through collaborative studies by organizations or groups recognized by the users of the laboratory's analytical data.

     "Regulatory program" - a program administered by a federal, state, or other regulatory agency.

     "On-site assessment" - an on-site inspection of laboratory capabilities.

     "Primary NELAP accreditation" - granting of NELAP accreditation by the ecology accrediting authority after having determined through direct evaluation that the laboratory is in conformance with the NELAC standards.

     "Secondary NELAP accreditation" - recognition by the ecology accrediting authority of a NELAP accreditation that was granted by another NELAP accrediting authority.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.230. 02-20-090 (Order 01-12), § 173-50-040, filed 10/1/02, effective 11/1/02; 93-20-011 (Order 92-53), § 173-50-040, filed 9/22/93, effective 10/23/93; 90-21-090 (Order 90-21), § 173-50-040, filed 10/19/90, effective 11/19/90; 89-10-001 and 90-07-017 (Order 89-1 and 89-1A), § 173-50-040, filed 4/20/89 and 3/13/90, effective 4/13/90.]