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Laboratory Certification Programs
The Office of Quality Assurance (OQA) offers certification
for environmental testing laboratories to ensure that regulatory
decisions made by federal, state, and municipal government
agencies are based upon accurate and dependable analytical
data. The OQA certifies laboratories in 36 states, Canada
and overseas, and offers certification in:
- Drinking Water
- Solid and Hazardous Waste
- Air
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Tests for which certification is offered are called Department
Sanctioned Analytical Methods (DSAMs) and include testing
for microbiology, toxicity, physical characteristics, nutrients,
inorganics, metals, volatile organics, semi-volatile organics,
polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls,
dioxins, and radiochemistry. The current list of DSAMs for
which certification is offered are contained in PART
III of the Department's application for certification.
 Two
options for laboratory certification are offered by the OQA:
- The
National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program
(NELAP) offers certification based upon nationwide criteria
that use quality systems to insure the integrity of analytical
data. Reciprocal certification is available to the twelve
accrediting authorities that participate in the NELAP.
- The OQA offers New Jersey certification
through its own state program, referred to as the Environmental
Laboratory Certification Program (ELCP). The rules for administering
the New Jersey program are detailed in N.J.A.C.
7:18 (as amended October 20, 2003) Regulations Governing
the Certification of Laboratories and Environmental Measurements
(PDF). This is a "courtesy"
copy of N.J.A.C. 7:18. It may not be the most accurate or
current version of the rule. For an official copy of this
Chapter, please see the website
for the Office of Legal Affairs.
Certification is provided through a formal
process of application, audit and approval of a laboratories'
quality system. Certification must be renewed annually.
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