Section 95. Suspension of accreditation

A. Before withdrawing accreditation, DCLS may suspend accreditation from an environmental laboratory in total or in part to allow the laboratory time to correct the reason for which DCLS may withdraw accreditation. Suspension is limited to the reasons listed in subsection B of this section.

B. DCLS may suspend accreditation from an environmental laboratory in part or in total when the laboratory has failed to do any of the following:

1. Participate in the proficiency testing program as required by 1VAC30-46-210 B.

2. Complete proficiency testing studies and maintain a history of at least two successful proficiency testing studies for each accredited field of testing out of the three most recent proficiency testing studies as defined in 1VAC30-46-210 B.

3. Maintain a quality system as defined in 1VAC30-46-210 C.

4. Employ staff that meets the personnel qualifications of 1VAC30-46-210 A.

5. Notify DCLS of any changes in key accreditation criteria as set forth in 1VAC30-46-90.

C. Process to suspend accreditation.

1. When DCLS determines that cause exists to suspend a laboratory, the agency shall send notification to the responsible official and the technical manager stating the agency's determination that the laboratory has failed to meet the 1VAC30-46 standards for one or more of the reasons listed in subsection B of this section. DCLS shall send the notification by certified mail.

2. In its notice, DCLS shall request the laboratory to notify DCLS in writing if the laboratory believes the agency is incorrect in its determination.

3. The notification shall state that the laboratory is required to take corrective action whenever a failure occurs and to document the corrective action. The notification shall require the laboratory to provide DCLS with documentation of the corrective action taken with regard to its failure to meet a standard under this chapter.

4. The notification shall state what the laboratory is required to do to restore its accreditation status and the time allowed to do so.

5. The environmental laboratory may proceed to correct the deficiencies for which DCLS has suspended the laboratory's accreditation.

6. Alternatively the laboratory may state in writing that DCLS is incorrect in its determination regarding suspension, giving specific reasons why the laboratory believes DCLS should not suspend accreditation.

7. With the exception of subdivision B 4 of this section, DCLS may allow the laboratory up to 60 days to correct the problem for which it may have its accreditation suspended.

8. DCLS shall set a date for suspension that follows the period provided under subdivision 7 of this subsection to restore accreditation.

9. If the laboratory does not correct its deficiencies within the time period allowed, DCLS shall suspend a laboratory in part or in total.

10. DCLS shall notify the laboratory by letter of its suspension status. DCLS shall send the notification by certified mail. DCLS shall also notify the pertinent Virginia state agency of the laboratory's suspension status.

11. The laboratory may provide information demonstrating why suspension is not warranted in accordance with the standard referenced in the initial DCLS notification. If such information is not provided prior to the suspension date, the laboratory accepts the DCLS decision to suspend.

12. The laboratory has the right to due process as set forth in 1VAC30-46-110.

D. Responsibilities of the environmental laboratory and DCLS when accreditation has been suspended.

1. The term of suspension shall be limited to six months or the period of accreditation whichever is longer.

2. The environmental laboratory shall not continue to analyze samples or report analysis for the fields of accreditation for which DCLS has suspended accreditation.

3. The environmental laboratory shall retain accreditation for the fields of accreditation, methods, and analytes where it continues to meet the requirements of this chapter.

4. The laboratory's suspended accreditation status shall change to accredited when the laboratory demonstrates to DCLS that the laboratory has corrected the deficiency or deficiencies for which its accreditation was suspended.

5. An environmental laboratory with suspended accreditation shall not have to reapply for accreditation if the cause or causes for suspension are corrected within the term of suspension.

6. If the laboratory fails to correct the causes of suspension within the term of suspension, DCLS shall withdraw the laboratory's accreditation in total or in part.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 32, Issue 01, eff. November 1, 2015.

Statutory Authority

§ 2.2-1105 of the Code of Virginia.