The role of the Environmental Laboratory Improvement Office (ELIPO) is to accredit environmental laboratories performing analysis to comply with permit requirements under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), Clean Water Act (CWA), and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The goal is to provide the environmental programs administered by the KDHE, Division of Environment with laboratory data of known quality and of legal defensibility. The Division of Environment, relies on ELIPO to support a multitude of scientific, regulatory and administrative decisions. Efforts to improve the quality of monitoring data ranks among the most important functions of the ELIPO staff.

The Kansas Environmental Laboratory Certification program was authorized by the Kansas legislature in 1978 with the enactment of K.S.A. 65-1,109a. The program was implemented by the enactment of K.A.R. 28-15-35 through 28-15-37. In 1999 the state of Kansas became a nationally recognized accrediting authority. This recognition was obtained as the KDHE, ELIPO implemented the National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference (NELAC) standards for laboratory accreditation.

NELAC is the national standard setting body for environmental laboratory accreditation and for accrediting authorities. The NELAC standards have become a reality thanks to the joint effort and commitment of participants from all states, the federal government, the environmental laboratory community, and the regulated industries. The NELAC standards are written by the participants and are approved by majority consensus. The state of Kansas is a participant and voting member in the national conference. ELIPO representatives are appointed each year by the governor to participate in this conference.

The ELIPO accredits approximately 280 environmental laboratories. The ELIPO also provides technical support to environmental laboratories for the improvement of their operations.

K.A.R 28-15-35 thru 37. Environmental Lab Accreditation Regulations

• K.S.A. 65-1, 109a Environmental Lab Accreditation Regulations
• Click here for K.A.R. 28-15-35,36,36a,37 (.pdf)

Glossary
| NELAC 2003 Standard|

Go to downloads: Labs Approved for Environmental Testing

Laboratory Accreditation Program Documents