Section 100870 Of Article 3. Environmental Laboratories From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 101. >> Part 1. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 3.
100870
. (a) Any laboratory that is ELAP certified or holds NELAP
accreditation or has applied for ELAP certification or NELAP
accreditation or for renewal of ELAP certification or NELAP
accreditation under this article shall analyze proficiency testing
samples, if these testing samples are available. The department shall
have the authority to contract with third parties for the provision
of proficiency testing samples for those laboratories that hold or
are applying for ELAP certification. The samples shall be tested by
the laboratory according to methods specifically approved for this
purpose by the United States government or the department, or
alternate methods of demonstrated adequacy or equivalence, as
determined by the department. Proficiency testing sample sets shall
be provided, when available, not less than twice, nor more than four
times, a year to each certified laboratory that performs analyses of
food for pesticide residues.
(b) (1) The department may provide, directly or indirectly,
proficiency testing samples to a laboratory for the purpose of
determining compliance with this article with or without identifying
the department.
(2) When the department identifies itself, all of the following
shall apply:
(A) The results of the testing shall be submitted to the
department on forms provided by the department on or before the date
specified by the department, and shall be used in determining the
competency of the laboratory.
(B) There shall be no charge to the department for the analysis.
(3) When the department does not identify itself, the department
shall pay the price requested by the laboratory for the analyses.
(c) If a certified or NELAP accredited laboratory submits
proficiency testing sample results generated by another laboratory as
its own, the certification or NELAP accreditation shall be
immediately revoked.
(d) Laboratories shall obtain their proficiency testing samples
from proficiency testing sample providers that meet NELAC standards.
Laboratories shall bear the cost of any proficiency testing study fee
charged for participation. Each laboratory shall authorize the
providers of proficiency testing samples to release the report of the
study results directly to the department, as well as to the
laboratory.