DepartmenT of Defense Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program

Earlier this year the Department of Defense implemented a new Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP). Beginning October 1, 2009, all laboratory work performed in support of the DoD Environmental Restoration (ER) program are to be done by ELAP approved laboratories. Laboratories that are not ELAP approved can continue to provide services within the scope of their current contract or approval, but will not be listed as approved laboratories. The use of laboratories that are not ELAP approved for new projects will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

To obtain ELAP approval, a laboratory must pass a rigorous audit that verifies that the laboratory is in compliance with current DOD Quality System Manual requirements as defined under version 4.1. There are four independent accrediting bodies that are performing laboratory audits on behalf of the DoD with each maintaining a list of the laboratories they have approved. Sometime after October 1, 2009 the DoD will publish a master list of the approved laboratories.

—Dr. Charlie Carter, Vice President of Quality & Technical Services

 

Latest Updates

7th Laboratory Receives Department of Defense ELAP Accreditation

TestAmerica Reaches Halfway Mark, Adding 6th Laboratory to DoD ELAP Accreditation List

TestAmerica’s St. Louis Laboratory Receives DoD ELAP Accreditation

TestAmerica Adds 4th Laboratory to Growing List of Department of Defense ELAP Accredited Facilities

3rd TestAmerica Laboratory Receives Department of Defense ELAP Accreditation

2nd TestAmerica Laboratory Receives Department of Defense ELAP Accreditation

TestAmerica First to Receive Department of Defense ELAP Accreditation

DoD ELAP Status of TestAmerica DoD Laboratories:

Laboratory	DoD ELAP Accreditation			Navy Approval Expiration Date
	Applied	Audited	Accredited
Burlington	yes	yes	pending	5/1/2010
Chicago	yes	yes	YES	---
Denver	yes	yes	YES	---
Honolulu	yes	yes	pending	5/6/2010
Knoxville	yes	yes	YES	---
Los Angeles	yes	yes	pending	---
North Canton	yes	yes	YES	---
Pittsburgh	yes	yes	pending	2/19/2010
Sacramento	yes	yes	YES	---
Savannah	yes	yes	YES	---
St. Louis	yes	yes	YES	7/14/2010
Seattle	yes	yes	YES	---

Note: This is the status as of 02/24/2010. Please check this page for future updates.

 

Helpful Links

For DoD ELAP program information, memo of program authorization and frequently asked questions (FAQ's), click the links.

 

Informative Presentations

• Two Fundamental DoD Changes by TestAmerica DoD Workgroup
  • DoD QSM 3.0 vs DoD QSM 4.1
• DoD QSM Version 4 Update by Fred McLean – Navy Laboratory Quality & Accreditation Office
• DoD ELAP from National Environmental Monitoring Conference August 2009 by Ed Hartzog – Chair, DoD Environmental Data Quality Workgroup
• Accredited Laboratories “Do we really need them”, presented to the NELAC Institute by Ed Hartzog – Chair, DoD Environmental Data Quality Workgroup

 

Accrediting Bodies

• American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA)
• ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board (ACLASS)
• Laboratory Accreditation Bureau (L-A-B)
• Perry Johnson Laboratory Accreditation, Inc. (PJLA)

Contact information for the accrediting bodies can be found on the DoD web site.

 

Ask the Expert

The analytical requirements defined in the DOD QSM, Version 4.1 are unique and complex. TestAmerica is committed to helping our clients understand these complexities. If you have any questions regarding the DOD new regulatory requirements we encourage you to "Ask The Expert".

Larry Penfold Quality Director

Ray Frederici Director of Quality and Client Advocacy

 

Or for more information, please send an email to FederalTeam@testamericainc.com