Environmental Laboratory Certification
The Virginia Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (VELAP) became effective on January 1, 2009, per Virginia Regulations 1 VAC 30, Chapter 45: Certification for Noncommercial Environmental Laboratories, and 1 VAC 30, Chapter 46: Accreditation for Commercial Environmental Laboratories. Under Chapter 46, Virginia’s Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services will offer accreditation to commercial laboratories in accordance with the 2003 NELAC Standard.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
- Review the Frequently Asked Questions document for determining whether your laboratory needs to be certified, and if your laboratory is a Chapter 45 or a Chapter 46 laboratory.
- Download and review the Chapter 45 or Chapter 46 Regulations.
- Download the 2003 NELAC Standard from the NELAC website if you seek Chapter 46 Accreditation.
- Begin review of your quality manual against the Chapter 45 or Chapter 46 Quality Manual Checklists, available as downloads or within the electronic application. Update your Quality Manual if needed to comply with each requirement listed. Cite the exact location of each requirement on the checklists.
- Determine the list of matrix / method / analyte combinations for which your laboratory will seek certification.
- Review Chapter 45 or Chapter 46/NELAC documents for specific requirements of certification programs. Use these documents to check your laboratory for compliance to Virginia
- MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
E-FILE Application
- To E-FILE, your system must meet the following requirements:
- Windows operating systems XP, or VISTA
- MS Access 2003 or newer
If your system does not meet the minimum requirements, contact Lab_Cert@dgs.virginia.gov to request an alternate application procedure.
- Additionally an EPA Lab ID is required to E-FILE.
- For applications that will include water or wastewater related tests, please contact Charles Feldman at EPA's Cincinnati office at (513) 569-7671 to obtain an EPA lab ID. Otherwise please send an email to Lab_Cert@dgs.virginia.gov to obtain a Lab ID number to be used in lieu of the EPA Lab ID.
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PLEASE NOTE:
Upon E-FILEing, an email will be sent to the address entered as primary contact, confirming DCLS receipt. If you have not received this email within 24 hours after E-FILEing, please contact the DCLS Lab Certification Office at Lab_Cert@dgs.virginia.gov for assistance.
- To E-FILE you will need to download the following documents:
System Requirements and Download Instructions
Environmental Lab Application Instructions
VA Lab Certification Electronic Application
www.nelac-institute.org