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Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELIPO)
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 Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)'s 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.
TPH Policy Update
- The Kansas Methods for Determination of Low-Range Hydrocarbons (LRH) and Mid-/ High-Range Hydrocarbons (MRH/HRH) may be found in the Quick Links section.
- Labs may request certification for the Kansas LRH and MRH/HRH methods starting November 9th.
- Labs currently certified by the state of Kansas must submit an added parameter form, Standard Operating Procedure, and initial document by December 4, 2015.
- Labs not currently certified in Kansas must submit a complete application packet which may require additional processing time.
- Applications received after the deadline may not be processed until after January 1.
- Labs submitting a complete request by December 4th will be certified for the KS LRH and MRH/HRH methods on January 1, 2016 to avoid any competitive advantage.
- Please email us with any questions.
ELIPO Applications
- 2003 NELAC Standard (PDF)
- 2003 NELAC Standard On-Site Assessment Checklist (PDF)
- Drinking Water Inorganics (PDF)
- Drinking Water Organics (PDF)
- Field Added Parameter Form (PDF)
- Field Lab Application (PDF)
- Kansas Method for Determination of Low-Range Hydrocarbons (LRH) (PDF)
- Kansas Regulations applying to Laboratory Certification (PDF)
- Kansas Statute Applying to Laboratory Certification (PDF)
- NELAP Lab Application (PDF)
- Non-Potable Water Inorganics (PDF)
- Non-Potable Water Organics (PDF)
- Parameter Addition Form (PDF)
- Personnel Form (PDF)
- Solid and Chemical Materials Inorganics (PDF)
- Solid and Chemical Materials Organics (PDF)
Complaint Reporting Procedures
All complaints will be reviewed and investigated as appropriate.
Complaints Against a Kansas Certified Laboratory
Please submit complaints against a Kansas-certified laboratory in writing to the Environmental Laboratory Improvement Program Office.
- Email ELIPO
Phone: 785-296-3811
Direct Complaints Regarding the Environmental Laboratory Improvement Program Office
Please direct complaints regarding the Environmental Laboratory Improvement Program Office to the Director of the Division of Environment.
- Phone: 785-296-1535
Fax: 785-559-4264
Laboratories Outside of Kansas Seeking Primary Accreditation From KDHE
The KDHE Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program has contracted with the two NELAP third-party assessment bodies listed below to assist with the primary accreditation of environmental testing laboratories outside of Kansas. For more information please contact our lab improvement specialists or the third-party assessors directly.
- Jack Farrell
Analytical Excellence, inc.
812 Point Pleasant Place
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
Phone: 407.331.5040
Email Analytical Excellence inc - Christopher Royce
Dade Moeller & Associates1835 Terminal Drive, Suite 200
Richland, WA 99354
Phone: 225-335-3199
Email Christopher Royce
History of the Program
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.
The TNI Standard
NELAC has since evolved into The NELAC Institute (TNI) and remains the national standard-setting body for environmental laboratory accreditation and for accrediting authorities. The standards developed by TNI 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 state of Kansas is a TNI participant and voting member with governor-appointed representatives participating in the national conference each year.
The consensus effort has resulted in the adoption of a new standard for lab accreditation: The TNI standard. The TNI standard is available on the TNI website and is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2011. Training sessions on the TNI standard are being arranged and the schedule will be posted here when finalized.
Regulations
Collection-and-Analysis-of-Water-and-Public-Water-Supplies-KAR-28-14 (PDF)
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Environmental Laboratory Improvement Office