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Laboratory Accreditation
Accreditation Programs
National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) (Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Radiochemistry, Air) NELAP recognized Accrediting Authorities accredit environmental laboratories to the NELAC standards.
EPA Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Program (Chemistry, Microbiology, Radiochemistry) The Drinking Water Laboratory Certification Program is managed through a cooperative effort between the Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water and the Office of Research and Development. Laboratories analyzing drinking water compliance samples must be certified by U.S. EPA or the State
NIST National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) 
(Asbestos) NVLAP is comprised of a series of laboratory accreditation programs which include specific calibration and/or test standards and related methods and protocols assembled to satisfy the unique needs for accreditation in a field of testing or calibration. NVLAP accredits public and private laboratories based on evaluation of their technical qualifications and competence to carry out specific calibrations or tests.
American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) (Environmental Lead, Environmental Microbiology) The Environmental Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program accredits laboratories performing analysis of lead in environmental samples including paint, soil, dust wipes and air. The Enviornmental Microbiology accreditation program is specifically for labs identifying microorganisms commonly detected in air, fluids, and bulk samples during indoor air quality studies.
American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) (Chemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Radiochemistry, Air) A2LA is a non-profit membership society that provides accreditation to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard.
Standards Sources
National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) NELAC is a voluntary association of State and Federal Agencies formed to establish and promote mutually acceptable performance standards for the inspection and operation of environmental laboratories.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) ANSI is a private, not-for-profit organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. Through ANSI, the U.S. has immediate access to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards development process. ISO standards are available for purchase from ANSI.
Institute for National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation (INELA) The Institute is a not-for-profit voluntary consensus standards development organization. The purpose of INELA is to foster the generation of environmental laboratory data of known and documented quality through the development of performance standards for accreditation of environmental laboratories and other entities directly involved in the environmental sampling and measurement process.
ASTM International ASTM is a not-for-profit organization that provides a forum for the development and publication of voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems, and services.