Laboratory Accreditation > How to ...

Application for initial accreditation and renewal of existing accreditation

Initial application

To determine if your laboratory must be accredited by Ecology, check the summary of requirements.  For any remaining questions, call the Lab Accreditation Unit at (360) 895-6144 or e-mail cosc461@ecy.wa.gov  Or you can contact the Ecology staff member using your data, e.g. discharge permit manager, project manager, or grant administrator.

The accreditation process is described in detail in the Procedural Manual.  The fee for accreditation is for a one-year period.  Refer to Chapter 173-50 WAC, Accreditation of Environmental Laboratories, for the fee schedule. 

To start the process, request an application by calling (360) 895-6145 or sending an email to cosc461@ecy.wa.gov.

Following are the documents for the initial application package:

• Application.
• Lab's Quality Assurance Manual.  A checklist used to review the manual can be accessed here.
• Proficiency Testing (PT) study reports.  Current PTs must be obtained from a provider approved by Ecology, either from those listed here or by special arrangement with the Lab Accreditation Unit.
• Third Party accreditation/certification documents if applicable.

After we complete the review of the application package, Ecology's Fiscal Department will send the lab an invoice for the fee.  The lead assessor assigned to the laboratory will arrange for the initial on-site assessment of the lab's analytical capabilities.

Renewal of existing accreditation

Approximately 45 - 50 days before a lab's accreditation expires, the Lab Accreditation Unit staff will send the lab a notice letter, a renewal application, and a report of the lab's currently requested parameters.