Analytical Method Certification Requirements for the Site Remediation Program

This notice serves as a reminder that, pursuant to the Technical Requirements for Site Remediation at N.J.A.C. 7:26E-2.1(a)1, laboratories or companies involved in any laboratory or field activity that generates and/or provides analytical data are required to have all applicable certifications for the specific parameters or categories for which certification exists pursuant to the Regulations Governing the Certification of Laboratories and Environmental Measurements (N.J.A.C. 7:18). This requirement applies to both measurements that occur in a conventional laboratory environment as well as measurements that take place in the field. For example, companies obtaining environmental samples by performing low flow purging and sampling are required to have the applicable certification to analyze for the field parameters that are required as part of this procedure (i.e., conductivity, turbidity, pH, dissolved oxygen and temperature).

Certification pursuant to N.J.A.C. 7:18 is obtained through a process that includes an application, proficiency test samples, reviews of demonstration of capability data and on-site assessments. Only a company that has successfully completed the process and that has been granted certification can perform environmental measurements and provide analytical data for the purpose of establishing compliance with any Departmental program. Additionally, when performing environmental measurements a company shall use only those methods for which it has been granted certification. A company not having required certifications and attempting to provide analytical data in response to a Department program will result in enforcement actions that can include suspensions, revocations and fines.

A copy of N.J.A.C 7:18 can be found at:
www.nj.gov/dep/rules/rules/njac7_18.pdf

Information on laboratory certification can be found at:
www.nj.gov/dep/oqa/labcert.html