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 and other organizations involved in generating environmental data.  The January 2012 Forum will focus on implementation of recommendations from the Accreditation Body Task Force. A major emphasis of the meeting will be on TNI’s new National Environmental Field Activities Program (NEFAP).

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 2012 Forum will include:

• Meetings of all TNI committees;
• Discussion of the new standard for instrument calibration developed by the Environmental Measurement Methods Expert Committee;
• Meetings of three task groups focused on audit consistency, cryptosporidium analyses, and support for Accreditation Bodies;
• A meeting of EPA’s Environmental Laboratory Advisory Board (ELAB);
• A general session with updates about TNI programs;
• A training course on wet chemistry methods; and
• A training course on accreditation of Field Sampling and Measurement Organizations.

MONDAY, JANUARY 30

8:30am - 12:00pm
EPA's Environmental Laboratory Advisory Board (ELAB)
Training Course: Basic Chemistry and Operation of Currently Approved Wet Chemical Methods
Stationary Source Audit Sample (SSAS) Expert Committee

1:30pm - 5:00pm
Training Course: Basic Chemistry and Operation of Currently Approved Wet Chemical Methods (Cont.)

1:30pm - 5:00pm - Plenary Session
1:30pm - 2:00pm - Welcome and Update on TNI
2:00pm - 2:30pm - Consistency Improvement Task Force
2:30pm - 3:00pm - The International Approach to Accreditation
3:30pm - 4:00pm - Application of ISO 17025 to Accreditation Programs
4:00pm - 4:30pm - Systems and Process for Third Party ABs
4:30pm - 5:00pm - Recent Developments in Florida's Accreditation Program

5:30pm - 7:00pm - Reception and Exhibition

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 31

8:30am - 12:00pm - Concurrent Sessions
Laboratory Proficiency Testing (PT) Expert Committee
Laboratory Accreditation System Executive Committee (8:30am - 10:00am)
Environmental Measurement Methods Expert Committee
Technical Assistance Committee (10:30am - 12:00pm)

12:00pm - 1:30pm - Lunch Provided

12:00pm - 1:30pm - Information Technology Committee: Working Lunch

1:30pm - 5:00pm - Concurrent Sessions
Proficiency Test Executive Committee
Laboratory Quality Systems Expert Committee
Accreditation Body Committee (1:30pm - 3:00pm)
Accreditation Body Task Force (3:30pm - 5:00pm)

5:30pm - 7:00pm - Reception

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WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1

8:30am - 12:00pm - Concurrent Sessions
National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) Accreditation Council
Field Activities Committee
Policy Committee

12:00pm - 1:15pm - Lunch Provided

12:00pm - 1:15pm - TNI Conference Planning Committee Working Lunch

1:15pm - 3:15pm - Concurrent Sessions
National Environmental Field Activities Program (NEFAP) Executive Committee
Consensus Standards Development Program Executive Committee
Advocacy Committee

4:00pm - 5:30pm - TNI Board and Chairs

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2

8:30am - 12:00pm - Training Course: Florida Society of Environmental Analysts's Quality Assurance Workshop
8:30am - 5:00pm - Training Course: Accreditation of Field Sampling and Measurement Organizations
8:30am - 5:00pm - Training Course: Laboratory Assessor Technical Training: Radiochemistry

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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3

8:30am - 5:00pm - Training Course: Accreditation of Field Sampling and Measurement Organizations (Continued)
8:30am - 5:00pm - Training Course: Laboratory Assessor Technical Training: Radiochemistry (Continued)

The table below summarizes registration fees:

Registration Category	TNI Member	Non-Member1
Full Conference	$395	$450
One Day	$145	$170
Wet Chemistry Methods Training Course2	$95	$170
FSMO Training Course	$245	$295
Laboratory Assessor Training Course	$345	$395

Notes:
1. You can join TNI and pay the TNI member rate.
2. Free to those registered at the Full Conference rate.

The registration includes a continental breakfast Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, a buffet lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and a reception on Monday evening.

Click Here for On-Line Registration

Download Registration Form

In 2010, TNI formed a special task force to look at options for improving the effectiveness of TNI’s National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP). The Task Force developed eight specific recommended options and assigned these recommendations to a specific committee or group. An update on progress on these recommendations will occur thorough the week as summarized below.

Option 1: Training Have TNI develop assessor training, both for technical training and for assessment techniques.

Option 2: Administrative Support Services Develop a number of support services (e.g., tracking proficiency test data) that TNI could provide to ABs to relieve some of their workload.

Option 3: National Database Implement the national database of accredited laboratories to enhance reciprocal accreditations.

Option 4: Third-Party Assessors Enhance the process by which NELAP-recognized ABs can use third-party assessors, especially to assess laboratories in states that do not participate in NELAP.

Option 5: Use of Assessments from Other Organizations Use the laboratory assessments performed by the Department of Energy (DoE) or the Department of Defense (DoD) Accreditation Bodies in lieu of assessments performed by the NELAP AB.

Option 6: Sharing of Information and Resources Develop a system so that NELAP ABs could better share information and resources. This option is a long-term solution, but some elements could be implemented sooner.

Option 7: Surveillance Assessments Develop a process to allow the use of surveillance assessments to extend the time frame for a reassessment to beyond two years.

Option 8: Non-Governmental Accreditation Bodies Develop a process to allow non-governmental ABs (also called third-party ABs) to offer accreditations that would be accepted through reciprocity by the existing NELAP-recognized ABs, especially in states that do not operate a NELAP accreditation program, or where an existing state program may be privatized.

Basic Chemistry and Operation of Currently Approved Wet Chemical Methods

Interact with your peers, share information, and learn secrets and shortcuts for analyzing some important analytes by approved methods. We will cover fundamentals of the chemical reactions, and basic “theoretical” operation of the analyzers used to perform the methods. This course is designed with the analyst in mind. Be ready with problems you have experienced and obtain solutions from the teacher and other members of your class.

Material Covered

• Titration – basic concepts
• Ion Selective Electrodes (ISE) – basic concepts
• Spectrophotometers and Discrete Analyzers – basic concepts
• Continuous Flow Analyzers (SFA and FIA) basic concepts
• TOC analyzers – basic concepts

Analytes

• Ammonia
• TKN
• Nitrate (and Nitrate +Nitrite)
• Total Nitrogen
• Phosphorus
• TOC

Assessor Training: Radiochemistry

This course provides examples of the assessment process for radiochemistry technologies, based on The NELAC Institute (TNI) Environmental Laboratory standard. The principles for assessing specific technical disciplines within the laboratory operations are presented. The emphasis of this course is sample preparation, common instrumental techniques and an overview of performing assessments for other radiochemistry technologies. The rationale for assessing is based on proven quality principals that allow the determination of adherence to the defined system for the technical operations. The system standards used during this course are the 2009 TNI Environmental Laboratory (EL) standard. Personnel with a basic science background assess operations by conducting an assessment of a laboratory system and technical operations to assure conformance to the stated quality system and where applicable the mandated methods.

Personnel successfully completing the course will acquire the following:

• Knowledge to manage the assessment and to assess the implementation of the technology by the laboratory using interviewing techniques and data review
• An understanding as to how the technology is used in the various methods.
• An understanding of the key elements of data packages, and raw data to review and check effectively, including data integrity reviews,
• How to write deficiencies and track corrective actions, evaluate root cause analysis,
• How to assess the laboratory ethics refresher training, and review elements of professional conduct for the assessor.

The course presents the fundamentals of how to assess technical operations for the following technologies:

1. Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometer (ICP/MS)
2. Alpha Spectrometry (AS)
3. Alpha Scintillation Cell Counter (ASC)
4. Fluorometer (FLUO)
5. Alpha/Beta Gas-Flow Proportional Counter (GPC)
6. Gamma Spectrometry-Low/High Resolution (GS)
7. Laser Phosphorimetry (LP)
8. Liquid Scintillation Counter (LSC)

View Detailed Agenda (pdf)

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Accreditation of Field Sampling and Measurement Organizations

This one-day course outline was developed to provide introductory training regarding the 2007 TNI National Environmental Field Activities (NEFAP) Standard and procedures for field sampling and measurement organizations (FSMO) to gain accreditation. It focuses heavily on specifics requirements and additions to ISO/IEC 17025 in the NEFAP standard for field sample collection and measurement organizations. Additionally it will discuss briefly quality systems provisions, importance of proper documentation, record keeping, and following methods and procedures specific to field sample collection and measurement. It is designed to help FSMOs develop systems, practices, and procedures to prepare for NEFAP accreditation.

Specific learning objectives of this training course include:

1. Raise awareness of participants on the importance and benefits of voluntary consensus standards associated with field sample collection and measurement.
2. Help participants understand the process for development of the standard and the role of accrediting bodies.
3. Raise awareness of participants on the need for, requirements of, and importance of quality assurance, proper sample collection, testing, and record keeping.
4. Introduce applicable regulations and provide an overview of applicable standards that govern sample collection and analysis.
5. Help participants understand the benefits of voluntary accreditation to NEFAP.
6. Introduce the concepts of "data of known and documented quality" and "historical reconstruction".
7. Discuss the ramifications of poor quality and testing data.
8. Discuss and foster an understanding of major quality system elements.
9. Be able to compare and contrast the applicability of accreditation to your organization.
10. Discuss how to implement systems, practices, and procedures to assure proper documentation and recording.
11. Discuss the background and process for obtaining accreditation to the TNI NEFAP Standard.
12. Discuss tools, examples and practices for implementing management and technical system requirements contained in Volume 1 of the Standard.

View Detailed Agenda (pdf)

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Quality Assurance and Quality Control Workshop

Thursday, February 2

This session consists of three separate QA tracks, which complement each other and will provide Managers, QA Officers and Analysts with simplistic yet useful and critical information for microbiological analyses and general Quality Control evaluation measures. The instructors have many years of experience in laboratory management, analyses and data evaluation.

Microbiological Quality Assurance

First, overall key general Quality Assurance requirements for microbiological coliform methodologies will be discussed. Next, method specific requirements for membrane filter technique and Enzyme Substrate test will be covered and finally a couple of the Quality Assurance requirements will be highlighted and demystified during the hands on exercise.

General Quality Assurance evaluation using Excel

Many LIMS provide minimal ability to check data other than visually looking at the results and associated data on the computer screen cell by cell during the validation process.  It is quite embarrassing for a laboratory to send out a result that has had a typo of the wrong year or an analysis that was completed before the sample was collected.  If a laboratory can’t get the date correct clients will rapidly lose faith in any analytical results.  By using tools provided in Microsoft Excel 2007/10 a system of checks can be implemented into your laboratory Quality System.   These checks can allow quality managers, and supervisors to check for time and date typos, qualifier errors, hold times, relationships between analytes, and out of specification data.  Adding this to your Quality System at the quality manager level allows rapid data checking, significantly speeding up the validation process and final review of data.This presentation will explain the process of retrieving data from your LIMS (using Microsoft Query) and placing that data into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet which can be set up to look for common errors.  After construction of the query and spreadsheet it can be automated using the Microsoft macro recorder or VBA.

Quality Assurance measures Trend evaluation using Excel

Measuring the quality of an environmental laboratory’s on a short-term and continuing basis is an important component of an effective quality system implementation. It helps identify good performance as well as problem and improvement areas. Quality control charting, for example, provides a visualization of analytical performance. It is a good practice for laboratories to do the tracking, but more important is knowing what to look for in terms of trends or patterns, troubleshooting to determine the root cause, and developing action plans when appropriate.  Evaluation of the laboratory’s performance based on internal QC, inter-laboratory studies, and proficiency testing will be discussed. Statistical analysis to compare two or multiple methods will also be discussed. Graphical and statistical analysis of performance in other areas of the laboratory, such as sample receiving, sample preparation, sampling, and data entry will also be covered. This presentation will provide an overview of some of those tools, emphasizing the use of Excel. Examples that will be shown includes: simple ways to create QC charts, calculate QC limits, generate summary laboratory statistics, compare performance of two methods, and analyze your laboratory’s recovery on proficiency testing or blind studies. Performance evaluation results can then be communicated to the analysts, management, assessors, and your customers.

Hyatt Regency Sarasota

1000 Boulevard of the Arts
Sarasota, Florida, USA 34236
Tel: +1 941 953 1234
sarasota.hyatt.com (for general hotel information only)

Special advance registration rates of $112 per night (Single or Double) can be obtained before January 3, 2012, by using our on-line reservation system at or by calling 888-591-1234 and asking for the NELAC rate.

Rediscover the best of the city from this recently restyled Sarasota luxury hotel, set in the heart of the Cultural District. Stroll to local attractions, sail, fish, kayak.

 

Directions

From Sarasota/Bradenton International Airport (4 miles):

Travel West 0.3 miles on Desoto Rd./University Parkway. Turn Left onto 41South for 2.9 miles. Turn right onto Blvd. Of the Arts. The Hyatt hotel is on the left 0.1 miles.

From Tampa:

I-75 South
Take exit 210 (Fruitville Road/State Road 780)
Proceed West on Fruitville Road towards Sarasota for approximately 7 miles
Turn right onto Tamiami Trail
Proceed to the 1st traffic light and turn left onto Boulevard of the Arts
Hyatt Sarasota is located immediately on the left
Travel time: approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes

Shuttle service is available from several carriers starting at $40 per person.

As in previous years, we are providing opportunities to exhibit at this meeting and/or sponsor an activity.  We are, however, making changes to the program this year to enhance the exhibit/sponsor program based on the feedback we have received from exhibitors in the past.

• The conference will run from Monday through Friday with the exhibit program beginning at the break on Monday morning and concluding after the break on Tuesday. 
• As in past years, the exhibit program will include a reception on Monday evening in the exhibit area.
• The continental breakfast on Tuesday and refreshment breaks both Monday and Tuesday will be in the exhibit area.  There are also opportunities for you to sponsor any of the breaks or the lunch on Monday and Tuesday.

Click Here for On-Line Exhibitor Registration

Download Exhibitor Information and Registration Form