The NELAC Institute (TNI) Environmental Lab Accreditation Training
Learn about the updated TNI Lab Accreditation Standard.
Note that this page includes course descriptions for the 2-day version of the TNI Course, the 1-day version of the TNI Course, and some of the 90-minute webinars that are derived from the TNI Course.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
TNI is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing national standards of accreditation to allow environmental laboratories a set of regulations to produce data of known quality. The objective of this course is to provide a review of the recently implemented 2016 version of the standard used to accredit environmental laboratories. This course will highlight the changes from the previous 2009 version and will provide information to laboratories making the transition to fully implement the 2016 Standard. The 2016 TNI Standard is based upon ISO/IEC 17025:2005 with additional requirements specific to environmental testing laboratories.
International Accreditation Service (IAS) Inc is recognised by TNI for accreditation against the TNI standard. See the list published on the NELAC website.
TARGET ORGANIZATIONS
This Training Course applies to environmental laboratories seeking recognition of environmental testing under the 2016 TNI Standard and those transitioning from other state-specific accreditation programs.
COURSE PARTICIPANTS
For all laboratory staff who
- Manage the laboratory
- Manage in the technical operation of the laboratory
- Operate and maintain the laboratory quality system
- Manage laboratory programs
TRAINING PROCESS
This 2-day Training Course examines structural components of the standard. See the syllabus below. Quality system and technical requirements are grouped in a manner that makes them clear and understandable. We will discuss suggestions and ideas for quality system improvement and streamlined records management.
The course contains reference to Standard Interpretations, Implementation Guidance, and Guidance Documents published by TNI.
2-day Long Course Overview Syllabus
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Day 1 – (09:00-16:30) |
Day 2 – (09:00-16:30) |
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Introduction Review of 2016 TNI Standard requirements
Implementation Process
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Tools for different types of laboratories (small vs large, municipal vs commercial) Documents vs records Preparing for the assessment
Common assessment findings Workshopping ideas |
1-day Short Course Overview Syllabus
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09:00 – Introduction Review of 2016 TNI Standard requirements
Implementation Process
Preparing for the assessment
Workshopping ideas 16:30pm – Wrap-up |
90 MINUTE WEBINARS
WEBINAR 1 – 2016/TNI STANDARD FOR TESTING LABORATORIES.
This webinar is offered for free to all testing laboratories participating in the TNI program for environmental laboratories. It is published here.
The objective of this training is to provide California laboratories an overview of the steps that should be taken to become ELAP/2016 TNI Standard compliant. It will highlight the process of transitioning from the previous standard and regulations to fully implement the new requirements. This one hour training course is primarily suited for laboratory managers, quality assurance officers, technical managers, and program managers.
Outline:
Introduction
Review of new requirements
- Quality systems
- Technical
- Proficiency testing
Implementation Process
- First steps
- Develop transition plan
- Training
- Update documents
WEBINAR 2 – UPCOMING CALIFORNIA ELAP REGULATIONS
Learn about the upcoming ELAP regulations and what it means for your laboratory
Webinar Objectives
The California Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) is in the process of updating its regulations for accrediting environmental laboratories. The objective of this course is to provide a review of the changes to the requirements to assist laboratories to achieve compliance with the new measures.
Target Organizations
This Training Course applies to environmental laboratories seeking recognition of environmental testing under ELAP and those in need of understanding the challenges of updating their quality systems to become compliant under the 2016 TNI Standard.
Target Course Participants
For all laboratory staff who
- Manage the laboratory
- Manage in the technical operation of the laboratory
- Operate and maintain the laboratory quality system
- Manage laboratory programs
Webinar Training Process
This 2-hour Training Course examines the newly adopted ELAP regulations. See the syllabus below. The updated regulations emphasize a more robust quality management system and new technical requirements including calibration aspects, staff qualifications, and document control. We will discuss options for quality system requirements and common assessment findings.
The course contains reference to Standard Interpretations, Implementation Guidance, and Guidance Documents published by TNI and ELAP.
Overview of Webinar on California Regulations
Introduction
Review of the newly adopted ELAP requirements
- Quality system requirements
- Technical aspects
- MDLs
- Corrective actions
- Internal audit/Management reviews
- Options for various types of laboratories
- Common assessment findings
DATE(S) AND LOCATION(S):
See https://www.iasonline.org/training/ias-training-schedule/
REGISTRATION*
- Webinar – Regular Registration $100.00, Early Bird $75.00
- California Regulations Webinar (Webinar 2) is Free
- Short Course – Regular Registration $250.00 USD, Early Bird $200.00
- Long Course – Regular Registration $350.00 USD, Early Bird $300.00
*Fees are non-refundable for cancellations; however, you may substitute another member of your staff, or attend another class offered by IAS at a later date. If IAS cancels this class for any reason, the full registration fee paid will be refunded.
About our Instructor
Tony Francis, PhD
Dr. Francis has extensive experience in chemistry and biology. He is currently a principal with SAW Environmental (2004 to present). He was owner/operator of a large environmental laboratory in Nevada prior to becoming a full-time consultant. He performs and manages third‐party laboratory audits for several states, QA/QC consulting to individual laboratories, and provides internal audits, data integrity training, and data validation to private and governmental laboratories. Dr. Francis is a contract assessor for IAS assessing laboratories to ISO/IEC 17025 and various TNI Standards. He is a fully qualified NELAC assessor in organic and inorganic chemistry, microbiology, cryptosporidium, radiochemistry, solids, aqueous, tissue, and air. He is an EPA-approved drinking water certification officer in all areas available.
Dr. Francis performs 30-40 audits per year. He received his PhD in chemistry from the U. of Utah, 2003
