TNI Webinars
Learn from the IAS 90 minute TNI Webinars.
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 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.
The objective of each of these numbered webinars is to:
- Provide a review of the recently implemented 2016 version of the standard used to accredit environmental laboratories.
- Learn about the upcoming ELAP regulations and what it means for an environmental laboratory.
- provide laboratories with specific information to assist in preparing for on-site assessments.
- Discuss the various types of QC measurements, how to prepare each type, explain the rationale behind the frequency of analysis, and the implication of the results concerning the batch, system, or method.
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
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.
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
Outline:
Introduction
Review of new requirements
- Quality systems
- Technical
- Proficiency testing
Implementation Process
- First steps
- Develop transition plan
- Training
- Update documents
WEBINAR 2 – CALIFORNIA ELAP REGULATIONS
Learn about the upcoming ELAP regulations and what it means for your laboratory. This webinar is offered for free to all testing laboratories participating in the TNI program for environmental laboratories. It is published here.
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 1-hour Training Course provides information on how to prepare for an ELAP assessment by a recognised accreditation body. 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
WEBINAR 3 – PREPARING FOR THE ELAP ASSESSMENT.
Learn the specific information to assist in preparing for on-site assessments. Focus on areas that have historically been challenges for laboratories to be in compliance. This one hour training course is primarily suited for laboratory managers, quality assurance officers, technical managers, and program managers. It is published here.
Outline:
Introduction
Overview of the new MDL procedure from the EPA 2017 MUR
- Definitions
- Data acquisition
- Calculations/verifications
Common assessment findings
- Quality systems
- Technical requirements
- Documentation
- Record keeping
- Traceability
WEBINAR 4 – QC IN THE ELAP LABORATORY
When asked, many analysts say they run QC samples because they are “supposed to.” Many test methods require specific QC samples to be run without providing a corresponding explanation for doing so. This webinar will discuss the various types of QC measurements, how to prepare each type, explain the rationale behind the frequency of analysis, and the implication of the results concerning the batch, system, or method.
Outline:
- Introduction
- Review of QC sample types
- Proper preparation and analysis
- Impact on data quality
- Use of QC in method validation
WEBINAR 5 – TECHNICAL CRITERIA FOR CHEMISTRY METHODS AND EQUIPMENT
This webinar will discuss concepts related to spectrophotometric, titration, specific ion electrode, gravimetric, gas chromatography, and others. Principles of techniques, chemistry involved, and detection will be discussed. Aspects of drinking water testing as specified in 40 CFR Part 141 will be reviewed along with recent changes to the 2016 TNI Standard.
Outline:
- Introduction
- Understanding various analytical technologies
- Types of determinative separations and detection
- Useful laboratory techniques
- Requirements of performing drinking water methods
- Update on changes to the Chemistry Module in the 2016 TNI Standard
WEBINAR 6 – TECHNICAL CRITERIA FOR MICROBIOLOGY METHODS AND EQUIPMENT
This webinar will discuss concepts and requirements related to microbiology methods including presence/absence, enumeration methods, membrane filtration, and others. Principles of quality control, techniques, and program requirements will be discussed. Aspects of drinking water requirements as specified in 40 CFR Part 141 will be reviewed along with recent changes to the 2016 TNI Standard.
Outline:
- Introduction
- Understanding various microbiological methods
- EPA/program requirements of performing drinking water microbiological methods
- Useful laboratory techniques
- Update on changes to the Microbiology Module in the 2016 TNI Standard
WEBINAR 7 – GUIDELINES FOR METHOD SELECTION AND VALIDATION/VERIFICATION
This webinar will review the requirements and techniques laboratories and data users can use to effectively conform to the standards and regulations concerning method selection and validation/verification. Participants will learn the theory and practice related to selecting and validating test methods to generate data of known and documented quality. The requirements in the standards and regulations can be vague and confusing to laboratory management and staff. Various options for compliance will be provided to assist in providing legally defensible data in a way that works for the participants’ lab and their customers.
Outline:
- Principles of method selection and validation/verification
- Validation/verification of reference methods, validation of non-standard methods, and validation of lab-modified methods
- Relevance of validation/verification to the measurement process
- Requirements for legally defensible data
WEBINAR 8 – METROLOGICAL TRACEABILITY IN THE ELAP LAB
This webinar will explain various concepts of measurement traceability including requirements for reference standards and materials, instrument calibration, support equipment verification, correction factors, and related concepts. Laboratory personnel will learn how to properly document traceability procedures and accurately record basic measurements. Changes to the 2016 TNI Standard and concepts from ISO/IEC 17025:2017 will be highlighted.
Outline:
- Introduction
- Terminology & definitions
- Instrument calibration
- Support equipment verification
- Documented procedures
- Proper record keeping
DATE OF WEBINAR 8:
26 January 2021. See https://www.iasonline.org/training/ias-training-schedule/
REGISTRATION*
- Webinar – Regular Registration $100.00, Early Bird $75.00
- IAS 90 – Minute Webinars (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.
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