Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program
2010 Monthly Accreditation Newsletter
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October 2010 |
NEWS
Online + Comprehensive System + Interactive + Launched = ELDO
The day has finally arrived! The MN-ELAP Environmental Laboratory Data-Online (ELDO) system is ready for use!
Environmental Laboratory Data Online (ELDO) is more than just an application form; it is a comprehensive system designed to help the laboratory community, MN-ELAP, and other state programs track laboratory accreditation information. Laboratories will use the ELDO system to: renew accreditation, upload documents, review PT results received by MN-ELAP, and respond to corrective action requests (including reports of onsite assessments). Please attend an ELDO web conference training session in October, decide on a username and password, format and organize your documents, and request user access.
Accredited laboratories and new applicants may access the ELDO system via the MDH-ELAP Homepage under the Application link or from the ELDO link on the main page.
If you have questions regarding this announcement or ELDO, please contact MN-ELAP staff at health.mnelap@state.mn.us or by phone (651-201-5200).
MDH Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program
Website Updates
Searchable Laboratory List
The Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program has re-formatted the online searchable accredited laboratory list to include common and customized search features. The searchable list is in a user-friendly format that is searchable by laboratory name, location, fields of accreditation or by predefined common search criteria.
If you have an idea for information or a common search that you would like us to provide online, please contact MN-ELAP staff at health.mnelap@state.mn.us or by phone (651-201-5200).
Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program - Search for Accredited Laboratories
September 2010 |
NEWS
Minnesota Approved as the 15th NELAP Accreditation Body
At the Forum on Laboratory Accreditation held August 9-13, 2010 in Washington, D.C., the Minnesota Department of Health’s Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (MN-ELAP) received national recognition for its successful implementation of approved standards for laboratory accreditation.
With its recognition by the accreditation bodies, MN-ELAP established reciprocal agreements with fourteen other state accreditation programs already approved by the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program. You may review the list of participant state programs on The NELAC Institute Web site.
Laboratories already accredited through MN-ELAP do not need to take additional action. Beginning with renewal applications in October 2010, MN-ELAP will issue certificates and scopes of accreditation containing the NELAP seal, in addition to the MDH logo and State of Minnesota seal already in place.
Laboratories not currently accredited by MN-ELAP and laboratories that wish to obtain accreditation through the newly established reciprocal agreements may submit an application and fees meeting the requirements in M.S. 144.98. The program’s Web site includes instructions for application to the program.
In October 2010, MN-ELAP will begin processing initial applications to the program and applications to transfer current primary accreditation.
If you have questions regarding this announcement, please contact the MN-ELAP staff at health.mnelap@state.mn.us or by phone (651-201-5200).
NELAC Institute NELAP-Recognized Accreditation Bodies
MDH Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program
Website Updates
Quality Manual and Standard Operating Procedure Templates
The Tools and References page has been updated and now includes links to templates for quality assurance manuals and standard operating procedures. The quality manual and standard operating templates have been developed to assist laboratories with implementing the NELAC Standard. The laboratory is still required to review, implement, and manage requirements to ensure compliance with the NELAC Standard.
Tools and References
The NELAC Institute / quality Manual Template
Small Lab Advocacy Group's (SLAG) bulletin board
August 2010 |
NEWS
Workshop on 2009 TNI Standard: September 9, 2010
MN-ELAP will host a workshop presented by representatives from The NELAC Institute (TNI). This workshop will review in detail the 2009 TNI Standard. Laboratories accredited by MN-ELAP must ensure compliance with the 2009 TNI Standard beginning July 1, 2011. The workshop will cover the standard applicable to laboratories and present the plan for implementation. The day-long workshop will take place on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at the Minnesota Department of Health (Orville Freeman Building, 625 Robert Street North, St. Paul, MN).
This session will be the only workshop offered in Minnesota this year. Alternate locations (outside the state of Minnesota) and a detailed agenda are posted on the TNI website under the News link. Space is limited to the first 75 registrants. Register early to reserve a seat!
The workshop cost is $95.00 for TNI members or $145.00 for non-members. Persons interested in attending the training may register online.
Water Operating Training in Detroit Lakes, November 30, 2010
The Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Section of the American Water Works Association are hosting a water operator school on Tuesday, November 30th through December 2, 2010 in Detroit Lakes. Lynn Boysen, MN-ELAP, will be presenting information on ‘Laboratory Ethics’ during the Tuesday, November 30th session.
The NELAC Institute
The New TNI Laboratory Accreditation Standards: Minnesota - registration
Northwest District Water Operators School registration and tentative agenda
Website Updates
Advisory Committee Page Updates
The Advisory Committee page has been updated and now includes meeting highlights from the July meeting. Please note that the next advisory meeting will be held Tuesday, October 12, 2010 at 1:30p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Snelling Office Park in Saint Paul and via videolink. The meetings are open to the public; however, persons interested in participating must notify the program staff to resolve seating limitations and security issues. Please send any questions or attendance requests to health.mnelap@state.mn.us
May / June 2010 |
NEWS
Perfluorchemical Analysis: guidance and method specific checklist
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) revised the Guidance for Perflurochemicals Analysis for the analysis, quality control and reporting of Perflurochemicals (PFCs). The minimum criteria for analyzing and reporting samples to the MPCA are contained within the guidance document. In response to the revised guidance document, the MN-ELAP program has updated the PFC Checklist, which is available at the Technical Assistance for Methods under the Organic Chemistry section of the information page. Please contact the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency if you have questions regarding the guidance document or requirements.
Laboratory System Improvement Program (L-SIP) Assessment
The Laboratory System Improvement Program (L-SIP) assessment of the State Public Health Laboratory System (SPHLS) was held on June 15, 2010. The assessment tool was provided by the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL). We would especially like to thank the participants for their insight, enthusiasm and time commitment. The information about the assessment goals and results will be posted on the L-SIP website.
Kids’ Groundwater Festival
April 28th was an exciting day for fourth grade students in Douglas County as they attended the 17th annual Kids’ Groundwater Festival. The Kids’ Groundwater Festival is an annual event where fourth graders can learn about ground and surface water, the importance of good water quality, ways to protect good water quality, and ways to improve contaminated water. Many volunteers with expertise in environmental sciences come together to do presentations, demonstrations, and hands on activities for the students. The best part is the kids have fun while learning how to protect our water resources.
Website Updates
Presentations and Training Slides Posted
The MN-ELAP was a guest speaker at the Minnesota Wastewater Operator's Association and Central States Water Environment Association annual summer training seminar in St. Cloud, Minnesota on June 10th. The educational presentations covered the most ‘Common Findings’ cited to the 2003 NELAC Standard and labs analyzing samples for Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD and CBOD). The other presentation covered ‘Ethics and Data Integrity’ to meet the annual ethics training for environmental labs. Please use the Toolbox page to access this and other recent presentations prepared and presented by MN-ELAP.
April 2010 |
NEWS
Total Coliform in New Wells: sampling and transit requirements
The Minnesota Department of Health’s Well Management Program published guidelines for the Sample Handling and Transit Requirements for Total Coliform samples from newly constructed wells. MN-ELAP posted a copy of the requirements under the Technical Assistance for Methods link. If you have questions regarding these requirements, please contact the Well Management Program.
MWOA Summer Workshop: June 10, 2010
The Minnesota Wastewater Operator's Association and Central States Water Environment Association Laboratory Committee will hold their annual summer training seminar in St. Cloud, MN. Contact Patti Mettler, City of Mankato, or log on to the MWOA or CSWEA websites for topics and registration information for this event.
Website Updates
Presentations and Training Slides Posted
The Toolbox page has been updated and includes training and informational presentations. The MN-ELAP presentation titled “NELAP- How Do I Comply?” presented at the MPCA Annual Waste Water Training Conference held in late March has recently been posted. We would like to especially thank Sharon Dahl (Flint Hills Resources) and Marni Karnowski (MPCA) for co-presenting. MN-ELAP will continue to post MN-ELAP presentations and training slides as soon as possible after a training event or meeting.
Ask the Expert
We updated our list of contact persons under the Ask the Experts link. Please update your address books.
Updated PT/PT Provider Page
We updated the information on the PTs and PT Provider web page to ensure that Proficiency Testing (PT) information is current. We hope the information is easy to access and understand. Please review the PT information for laboratories and ensure your laboratory meets the requirements for: a) frequency and annual scheduling; b) requesting additional fields of testing; and, if applicable, c) using your PT study results to report DMR-QA compliance.
March 2010 |
NEWS
Bookmark it!
The URL for our webpage has changed. We shortened the URL to make it easier for you to find (and for us to type!). Our new web address is www.health.state.mn.us/accreditation We sent a notification to all current News page subscribers; however, you will need to update your browser’s bookmarks and delete old ‘cookies’ so that you are directed to the correct page.
Change of Address (Electronic Mail)
Effective March 22, 2010, our email address changed. The new address is health.mnelap@state.mn.us Please update your address book and records to begin using the new address. Emails from the former address will be forwarded for the next few months to allow transition time.
Website Updates
"Find it Fast!" and Upcoming Events Added
We added a banner along the right side of our main webpage to provide a list of the upcoming training events and meetings. We’ve also added a Find it Fast! section to feature links to the most popular page searches on our site.
Meeting Highlights posted
The advisory committee page now includes the slides and highlights of the All Labs Meeting conducted on March 16, 2010.
February 2010 |
NEWS
Forum on Laboratory Accreditation Attended
The Minnesota Environmental Lab Accreditation Program (MN-ELAP) represented the state at the Forum on Laboratory Accreditation (the semiannual meeting of The NELAC Institute) held on January 25-29, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The meeting featured information on the new 2009 TNI Standard and implementation schedule. Please log on to The NELAC Institute's website for program highlights and for 2009 TNI Standard Implementation workshop dates and locations. MN-ELAP is coordinating a training session for later this year to help labs make the transition from 2003 NELAC to 2009 TNI. Watch for announcements and sign up early!
Website Updates
Advisory Committee Page Updates and Additions
The Advisory Committee page has been updated and includes the updated meeting schedule and highlights from the January meeting. Please note the All Labs meeting is being held on March 16, 2010 at Snelling Office Park from 1:30 to 3:00 P.M. The meetings are open to the public; however, persons interested in participating must notify the program staff to resolve seating limitations and security issues. Please send any questions or attendance requests to health.mnelap@state.mn.us .
January 2010 |
NEWS
No posts.
Website Updates
No updates posted.
Updated Tuesday, 11-Sep-2012 08:23:45 CDT
