TNI Semiannual Meeting: Forum on Laboratory Accreditation

The NELAC Institute (TNI) hosts two regularly scheduled meetings per year, typically in January and August. Both are a week long and involve open meetings of the TNI committees as well as training courses and other special sessions. The summer meeting is held in combination with the National Environmental Monitoring Conference.

Forum on Laboratory Accreditation
August 9-13, 2010
Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill

Washington, DC

Future Meetings

January 31-February 4, 2011, Savannah, GA
July 18-22, 2011, Seattle, WA

With over 250 attendees, the Forum on Laboratory Accreditation is the only conference that brings laboratories, regulatory agencies, data users, sampling firms, and many other organizations to discuss cutting-edge changes in environmental laboratory accreditation and future directions in policy that will have a national impact. In addition to the committee meetings and general sessions, attendees will have the opportunity to attend technical training courses, see the latest products and services in the industry and be able to network with peers.

Who should attend?

State and federal officials concerned about data quality
Data users
Laboratories (e.g., commercial, industrial, municipal, state and federal)
Field Sampling and Measurement Organizations
Quality managers

Why should you attend?

The Forum offers attendees an opportunity to exchange ideas, findings, and recommendations in a professional setting. The strong and diverse program will address a number of timely issues that affect data quality. Training sessions will be offered in conjunction with the meeting. A vendor exhibition will bring the latest in technology and services to the attendees.

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WELCOME

We are pleased to invite you to the Forum on Laboratory Accreditation, the principal conference for addressing policy and technical issues affecting the accreditation of environmental laboratories. The August 2010 Forum will focus on implementation of the new TNI consensus standards that will replace the 2003 NELAC standard in 2011.

The Forum will feature open public meetings of all TNI committees to allow quality professionals, chemists, analysts, microbiologists, engineers, and managers from federal and state agencies; commercial, municipal, state and federal laboratories; and many others who are actively involved and interested in laboratory accreditation issues to review what has been done and participate in the efforts to establish a national program for environmental laboratories. The August 2010 Forum will include:

An assessment forum
A mentoring session
Meetings of all TNI committees
A meeting of EPA’s Environmental Laboratory Advisory Board (ELAB)
A workshop on the new TNI standards

FINAL PROGRAM

Note: For more information on the specific presentations of the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC), go to www.nemc.us.

Monday, August 9
8:00 – 8:45	KEYNOTE ADDRESS Forty Years of Environmental Protection, J. Clarence Davies, Resources for the Future
9:00 – NOON	CONCURRENT SESSIONS
	EPA's ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY ADVISORY BOARD TNI Mentoring Workshop: New TNI Laboratory Accreditation Standards Issues New Quality Manual Template
1:30 – 5:00	CONCURRENT SESSIONS
	NEMC: Contaminated Sediments (6 presentations) NEMC: Air Methods, Sensors and In Situ Monitoring (6 presentations) NEMC: Best Practices for Data Reduction-Turning Data into Information (6 presentations) TNI: Policy Committee TNI: EPA Methods Panel

Tuesday, August 10
8:00 – 8:45	KEYNOTE ADDRESS Science Informing or Driving Public Policy? The View from 30 Years of Watching the NAAQS Process, Philip K. Hopke, Distinguished Professor; Director, Center for the Environment; and Bayard D. Clarkson, Director, Center for Air Resources Engineering and Science, Clarkson University
9:00 – NOON	CONCURRENT SESSIONS
	NEMC: Drinking Water Methods and Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products (5 presentations) NEMC: Challenges in Low-level Mercury Analyses (5 presentations) NEMC: Operational and Advocacy Issues Impacting the Environmental Laboratory Industry (5 presentations) TNI Information Technology Committee TNI Assessment Forum (3-4 specific topics to be determined) TNI National Environmental Field Activities Program
12:00 – 1:30	CONCURRENT SESSIONS
	Buffet Lunch Working Lunch: TNI Technical Assistance Committee Working Lunch: TNI Consensus Standards Development Board
1:30 – 5:30	CONCURRENT SESSIONS
	NEMC: Innovative Approaches to Analysis for Conventional and Emerging Pollutants (6 presentations) NEMC: Challenges in Low-level Mercury Analyses (cont) (6 presentations) NEMC: Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Products(cont) (6 presentations) TNI: Assessment Forum (Cont.) TNI: National Environmental Field Activities Program

Wednesday, August 11
8:00 – NOON	EPA Efforts to Bring Science into Public Policy, Lara Autry 8:30 The EPA Regulatory Agenda of the New Administration, Lisa P. Jackson, Administrator, US Environmental Protection Agency (INVITED) 9:15 The Role of Science in Meeting Our Environmental Challenges, Paul T. Anastas, Science Advisor and Assistant Administrator, Office of Research and Development, US Environmental Protection Agency (INVITED) 10:30 The Role of Enforcement to Ensure the Integrity of Our Science, Cynthia Giles, Assistant Administrator, Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (INVITED) 11:15 Taking Action on Climate Change, Gina McCarthy, Assistant Administrator, Office of Air and Radiation. (INVITED)
12:00 – 1:30	CONCURRENT SESSIONS
	Buffet Lunch Working Lunch: TNI Laboratory Accreditation Body Committee Working Lunch: TNI Advocacy Committee
1:30 – 5:00	CONCURRENT SESSIONS
	NEMC: Method Validation (6 presentations) NEMC: Emerging Technologies(6 presentations) NEC: Innovative Approaches to Analysis for Conventional and Emerging Pollutants(6 presentations) TNI Laboratory On-Site Assessment Committee TNI: PT Program and Laboratory Accreditation System Committee

Thursday, August 12
8:00 – 8:45	KEYNOTE ADDRESS Water Monitoring: Advancements, Interpreting Data, and Unmet Technology Needs, Robert M. Hirsch, Hydrologist, US Geological Survey
9:00 – NOON	CONCURRENT SESSIONS
	NEMC: Analysis of Metallic Species and Organometallics (5 presentations) NEMC: Current Topics in Microbiology (5 presentations) NEMC: International Approaches to Monitoring (5 presentations) TNI: PT Committee TNI: Stationary Source Audit Sample Committee TNI: National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program
12:00 – 1:30	Buffet Lunch
1:30 – 5:30	CONCURRENT SESSIONS
	NEMC: Analysis of Metallic Species and Organometallics (Cont.) (6 presentations) NEMC: Current Topics in Microbiology (Cont.) NEMC: General TNI: Quality Systems Committee

Friday, August 13
8:30 – NOON	CONCURRENT SESSIONS
	EPA’s Water Laboratory Alliance TNI Program Reports

REGISTRATION

The table below summarizes registration fees:

Symposium Registration (1)	Full Conference	Daily
Attendee Registration	$450	$195
Participant (2)	$335	$155
EPA Employee	$285	$125
Student	$150	$65

Notes:

1. Symposium registration includes participation in all meetings, and all printed materials. The registration includes a continental breakfast and lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and receptions on Monday and Wednesday evenings.

2. A Participant is a NEMC Session Chair, a speaker at NEMC, or a member of a TNI Committee or Board.

Download the conference brochure (PDF, 2.7MB)

Click here to register online.

TRAINING COURSES AND WORKSHOPS

Training Courses and Workshop

Electronic Delivery of Laboratory Data for the Next Generation

This training course will introduce and discuss the implementation of the Staged Electronic Data Deliverable (SEDD). The course will focus on implementing SEDD for the Superfund Methods (ISM01.2, SOM1.2, DLM2.2 and CBC1.2) Statements of Work for EPA's Contract Laboratory Program (CLP). The course will also be applicable to anyone using SEDD for other programs (e.g., SW-846). Laboratories, software vendors, and Architect-Engineer firms who have bid or are considering bidding on this contract in the future or have worked with SEDD files would be highly encouraged to attend. SEDD is a universal format that can deliver environmental testing data for any program in an XML format. The course will introduce SEDD and discuss the various â€œStagesâ€ and what type of data each can deliver. The structure of SEDD will be discussed that will show the type of data that is reported in a Stage 2a, 2b, or 3 SEDD file and how the files are constructed. The course will focus on the reporting of the data for the Stage 2a and 2b along with some discussion on Stage 3. SEDD allows for the complete linking of all samples to their associated Quality Control samples, the complete linking of all samples to their associated continuing and initial calibration data, and the complete linking of all reported results to the specific analysis that was used to derive that specific result. Numerous real examples will be displayed and discussed. The various means for constructing these files along with the current tools that can assist the laboratories with the evaluation of their in-house created files will be demonstrated. Overall, in the data review process, a significant cost savings has been demonstrated in the CLP through the use of these deliverables and associated software tools.

Date: Friday, August 13
Time: 8:30 - 4:30 pm
Instructor: Joseph Solsky, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Collaborating Instructors: John Nebelsick, EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation and David Youngman, Shaw Environmental Group, Inc.
Fee: $0 (for individuals registered for the Symposium)
Fee: $65 (all others)

How to Modify a Method Through an Alternate Test Procedure: Meeting the Regulatory Requirements for Federal Compliance

The class will step through the requirements that a laboratory must perform to complete an Alternate Test Procedure (ATP) at a local or regional level (Tier 1 or Tier 2) for a method modification under the requirements of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). The areas that will be focused on are:

Development of the method modification justification for a Tier 1 or Tier 2 ATP.
Determine what method modifications will or can be made without requiring an ATP.
Determine what method modifications will or can be made without requiring a new method under EPA requirements.
Develop the experimental parameters.
Minimum statistical requirements for method comparison.
Writing the new method in EPA format.
Writing and submitting the summary reports.

Date: Friday, August 13
Time: 8:30 am – 2:30 pm
Instructor: Edward Askew, Askew Scientific Consulting
Fee: $75

New TNI Laboratory Accreditation Standards

The NELAC Institute (TNI) National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) has adopted for use within the program four new accreditation standards:

Management and Technical Requirements for Laboratories Performing Environmental Analysis;
General Requirements for Accreditation Bodies Accrediting Environmental Laboratories;
General Requirements for Environmental Proficiency Test Providers; and
General Requirements for an Accreditor of Environmental Proficiency Test Providers.

The new standards will replace the 2003 NELAC standard and will be implemented in 2011. All NELAP-accredited laboratories will need to comply with the new requirements by July 1, 2011. This workshop will review in detail the standard applicable to laboratories, briefly review the other three standards, and present the plan for implementation.

Date: Friday, August 13
Time: 8:30 am – 3:00 pm
Instructors: TNI Staff, Committee Chairs, and Volunteers
Fee: $95 (Free for those registered for the full conference)

Sustainable Landscape Design

Millions of dollars are spent each year designing, implementing, and maintaining urban landscapes. Unfortunately, long-term problems are caused when these processes are not carried out properly. Many of these problems can be avoided or reduced by utilizing sustainable landscape practices. A landscape developed with sustainable practices will improve the environment by conserving resources and reducing chemical applications. A sustainable landscape will also reduce labor inputs making it less expensive to implement and maintain. The key to creating a sustainable landscape is to understand that the design process should be considered first. Plant selection, implementation, and maintenance build on the design process, each having sustainability as a major consideration.

In this course you will:

Learn the basic principles of landscaping including unity, simplicity, harmony, balance, color, repetition, practicality, proportion, and scale.
Learn how to assess your present landscape needs.
Learn how to assess the purpose of your landscape.
Learn how to avoid common landscaping mistakes.
Learn how to make the most of what you have.

The class will explore the appropriate uses of hardscape, turfgrass, and ornamental plants in your landscape.

Date: Tuesday, August 10
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Instructors: Kirstin McCracken, Vermont Master Gardener and Jerry Parr, Texas Master Gardener
Fee: $45 (Includes a light meal)

LODGING AND LOCAL INFORMATION

Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill

400 New Jersey Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C., USA 20001
Tel: +1 202 737 1234
washingtonregency.hyatt.com

Special advance registration rates at the government rate of $170 per night (Single) can be obtained before July 10, 2010 by using our on-line hotel registration system: http://washingtonregency.hyatt.com/groupbooking/wasrw2010neli

Discover our historic city from the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill. Enjoy easy access to all the attractions of our nation's capital from our ideal location in the heart of this popular downtown neighborhood. Walk to the Smithsonian and the National Mall, tour government centers, visit monuments and museums - all just minutes from our Capitol Hill hotel. Within in our inviting accommodations, you'll find gracious service, deluxe amenities, extensive business facilities – among the largest in the city - plush Grand Beds and tempting dining. For business travel or vacations, treat yourself to the premier luxury hotel in downtown Washington DC.

Transportation

DIRECTIONS:
From/To Ronald Reagan National Airport:
Taxi: Taxis are available outside the baggage claim area. Fare is approximately $14 - $18 (10-20 min).

Metro Subway: Take the Yellow/Blue line from the airport to the Gallery Place/Chinatown stop. Transfer to the Red line to Union Station (2nd stop). The Union Station Metro stop is located three blocks from the hotel. Fare is approximately $1.35-$1.75 (20-25 min).

EXHIBITORS AND SPONSORS

As in previous years, an exhibition will occur during the conference. Exhibit hours will be from 5:30 pm on Monday, August 9 (i.e., opening coincides with the start of the Opening Reception) though 7:00 pm on Wednesday, August 11 (i.e., closing coincides with the end of the Wednesday reception).

For more information about the Exhibit program, click here.