WAC 173-50-040   Definitions.  Definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter, unless context clearly indicates otherwise.

     "Accreditation" - the formal recognition by the department that an environmental laboratory is capable of producing accurate and defensible analytical data. This recognition is signified by issuance of a written certificate accompanied by a scope of accreditation indicating the parameters for which the laboratory is accredited.

     • The term "accredit" as used in this chapter is intended to have the same meaning as the term "certify" as used in RCW 43.21A.230.

     • Any laboratory accredited under this chapter shall be deemed to have been certified under RCW 43.21A.230.

     • The department does not, by accrediting any laboratory pursuant to these rules, vouch for or warrant the accuracy of any particular work done or report issued by that laboratory.

     "Accreditation year" - the one-year period as stated on the certificate of accreditation.

     "Accuracy" - the degree to which an analytical result corresponds to the true or accepted value for the sample being tested. Accuracy is affected by bias and precision.

     "Analyte" - the constituent or property of a sample measured using an analytical method.

     "Analytical data" - the recorded qualitative and/or quantitative results of a chemical, physical, biological, microbiological, radiochemical, or other scientific determination.

     "Analytical method" - a written procedure for acquiring analytical data.

     "Department" - the state of Washington department of ecology when the term is not followed by another state designation.

     "Drinking water certification manual" - the Environmental Protection Agency Manual for the Certification of Laboratories Analyzing Drinking Water, 5th Edition, January 2005.

     "Ecology accrediting authority" - the supervisor of the lab accreditation unit of the environmental assessment program of the department of ecology.

     "Environmental laboratory" or "laboratory" - a facility:

     • Under the ownership and technical management of a single entity in a single geographical location;

     • Where scientific determinations are performed on samples taken from the environment, including drinking water samples; and

     • Where data is submitted to the department of ecology, department of health, or other entity requiring the use of an accredited laboratory under provisions of a regulation, permit, or contractual agreement.

     "Lab accreditation unit" - the lab accreditation unit of the department of ecology.

     "Matrix" - the material to be analyzed, including, but not limited to, ground or surface water, wastewater, drinking water, air, solid waste, soil, tissue, nuclear waste, and hazardous waste. For the purposes of establishing a fee structure (WAC 173-50-190(4)), matrices are grouped as follows:

     • Nonpotable water;

     • Drinking water;

     • Solid and chemical materials; and

     • Air and emissions.

     "On-site audit" - an on-site inspection and evaluation of laboratory facilities, equipment, records and staff.

     "Out-of-state laboratory" - a laboratory that is not located in the state of Washington.

     "Parameter" - the combination of one or more analytes determined by a specific analytical method. Examples of parameters include:

     • The analyte alkalinity by method SM 2320 B;

     • The analyte zinc by method EPA 200.7;

     • The set of analytes called volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by method EPA 8260; and

     • The analyte Total Coli/Ecoli-count by method SM 9222 B/9221 F.

     "Principal laboratory" - a laboratory designated by the Washington department of health to support the drinking water certification program.

     "Procedural manual" - the Department of Ecology's Procedural Manual for the Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program dated September 2010.

     "Proficiency testing (PT)" - evaluation of the results from the analysis of samples, the true values of which are known to the supplier of the samples but unknown to the laboratory conducting the analyses. PT samples are provided by a source external to the environmental laboratory.

     "Quality assurance (QA)" - activities intended to assure that a quality control program is effective. A QA program is a totally integrated program for assuring reliability of measurement data.

     "Quality assurance (QA) manual" - a written record intended to assure the reliability of measurement data. A QA manual documents policies, organization, objectives, and specific QC and QA activities. Volume and scope of QA manuals vary with complexity of the laboratory mission.

     "Quality control (QC)" - the routine application of statistically based procedures to evaluate and control the accuracy of analytical results.

     "Regulatory program" - a program administered by a federal, state, or other regulatory agency.

     "Third-party accreditation" - recognition by the ecology accrediting authority of accreditation granted by another accrediting authority.

     "WA ELAP" - Washington state environmental laboratory accreditation program.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.230, 43.20.050 and 2009 c 564 § 301. 10-17-032 (Order 09-09), § 173-50-040, filed 8/9/10, effective 9/9/10. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.21A.230. 02-20-090 (Order 01-12), § 173-50-040, filed 10/1/02, effective 11/1/02; 93-20-011 (Order 92-53), § 173-50-040, filed 9/22/93, effective 10/23/93; 90-21-090 (Order 90-21), § 173-50-040, filed 10/19/90, effective 11/19/90; 89-10-001 and 90-07-017 (Order 89-1 and 89-1A), § 173-50-040, filed 4/20/89 and 3/13/90, effective 4/13/90.]