80_FR_62196 80 FR 61997 - DoD Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP)

80 FR 61997 - DoD Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP)

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 199 (October 15, 2015)

Page Range61997-62003
FR Document2015-25999

This proposed rule would establish policy, assign responsibilities, and provide procedures to be used by DoD personnel for the operation and management of the DoD ELAP. The DoD ELAP provides a unified DoD program through which commercial environmental laboratories can voluntarily demonstrate competency and document conformance to the international quality systems standards as they are implemented by DoD.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 199 (Thursday, October 15, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 199 (Thursday, October 15, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 61997-62003]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-25999]



[[Page 61997]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary

32 CFR Part 188

[Docket ID: DOD-2013-OS-0230]
RIN 0790-AJ16


DoD Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP)

AGENCY: Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and 
Logistics, DoD.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: This proposed rule would establish policy, assign 
responsibilities, and provide procedures to be used by DoD personnel 
for the operation and management of the DoD ELAP. The DoD ELAP provides 
a unified DoD program through which commercial environmental 
laboratories can voluntarily demonstrate competency and document 
conformance to the international quality systems standards as they are 
implemented by DoD.

DATES: Comments must be received by December 14, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by docket number and/or 
Regulatory Information Number (RIN) number and title, by any of the 
following methods:
     Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     Mail: Department of Defense, Office of the Deputy Chief 
Management Officer, Directorate of Oversight and Compliance, Regulatory 
and Audit Matters Office, 9010 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-
9010.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and docket number or RIN for this Federal Register document. The 
general policy for comments and other submissions from members of the 
public is to make these submissions available for public viewing on the 
Internet at http://www.regulations.gov as they are received without 
change, including any personal identifiers or contact information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edmund Miller, 571-372-6904.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Executive Summary

    The purpose of this regulatory action is to document the procedures 
for the operation and management of the DoD Environmental Laboratory 
Accreditation Program (ELAP). The legal authority for the regulatory 
action is Section 515, Treasury and General Government Appropriations 
Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Pub. L. 106-554), which directed the Office 
of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue government-wide guidelines that 
``provide policy and procedural guidance to Federal Agencies for 
ensuring and maximizing the quality, objectivity, utility, and 
integrity of information (including statistical information) 
disseminated by Federal Agencies.'' OMB guidelines, provided by FR 
Volume 67, Number 36, page 8452 (February 22, 2002) required federal 
agencies to maintain a basic standard of quality and take appropriate 
steps to incorporate information quality criteria into DoD public 
information dissemination practices. The guidance further provided that 
DoD Components shall adopt standards of quality that are appropriate to 
the nature and timeliness of the information they disseminate. The DoD 
ELAP provides the standards for ensuring the quality, objectivity, 
utility, and integrity of definitive environmental testing data 
disseminated by DoD for the Defense Environmental Restoration Program 
(DERP).
    This rule includes a general overview of DoD ELAP and establishment 
of standard operating procedures. It utilizes the baseline quality 
systems requirements of The NELAC Institute (TNI) and ISO/IEC 17025 
standards, but alone neither of these standards meet the testing and 
analysis needs for DERP. Therefore the DoD Quality Systems Manual (QSM) 
for environmental laboratories serves as the standard for DoD ELAP 
accreditation. The QSM contains the minimum requirements DoD considers 
essential to ensure the generation of definitive environmental data of 
know quality, appropriate for their intended uses. These minimal needs 
are not met by TNI or ISO 17025 standards alone. The DoD ELAP includes 
procedures on how to evaluate and recognize 3rd party accreditation 
bodies; perform and document government oversight of the DoD ELAP to 
ensure ongoing compliance with program requirements and to identify 
opportunities for continual improvement; conduct project-specific 
laboratory approvals for specific tests not addressed in the DoD ELAP; 
and handle specific complaints concerning the processes established by 
the DoD ELAP or the QSM.
    Past DoD laboratory assessment programs were specific to each DoD 
Component and limited to available resources. This created an overlap 
in assessments and fewer opportunities for laboratories to participate 
on DoD contracts. This rule proposes to establish a program to allow 
qualified laboratories to received third-party accreditation and become 
eligible to provide environmental sampling and testing services for 
DoD. It will be a voluntary program open to any qualified laboratories 
wishing to participate, thereby promoting fair and open competition 
among commercial laboratories.
    Since laboratories fund their own participation in the 
accreditation process, it will allow DoD to focus its resources on 
providing oversight of laboratory contracts. By proposing to replace 
separate DoD Component-specific laboratory approval programs, The DoD 
ELAP will eliminate redundant assessments, promote interoperability 
across the Department, streamline the process for DoD to identify and 
procure competent providers of environmental laboratory services, and 
provide more opportunities for commercial laboratories to participate 
in DoD environmental sampling and testing contracts.
    The scope of accreditation under ELAP includes specific laboratory 
services such as the test methods used, type of material tested (soil, 
water, etc.), and type of contaminants measured. The evaluation of a 
test method also includes the use of internal laboratory standard 
operating procedures.

Regulatory Procedures

Executive Order 12866, ``Regulatory Planning and Review'' and Executive 
Order 13563, ``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review''

    Executive Orders 13563 and 12866 direct agencies to assess all 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distribute impacts, and equity). Executive 
Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting 
flexibility. This rule has been designated a ``significant regulatory 
action,'' but not an economically significant action because it does 
not: (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more 
or adversely affect in a material way the economy; a section of the 
economy; productivity; competition; jobs; the environment; public 
health or safety; or State, local, or tribal governments or 
communities; (2) create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere 
with an action taken or planned by

[[Page 61998]]

another Agency; (3) materially alter the budgetary impact of 
entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs, or the rights and 
obligations of recipients thereof; or (4) raise novel legal or policy 
issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or 
the principles set forth in these Executive Orders.

Sec. 202, Public Law 104-4, ``Unfunded Mandates Reform Act''

    Section 202 of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA) 
(Pub. L. 104-4) requires agencies assess anticipated costs and benefits 
before issuing any rule whose mandates require spending in any 1 year 
of $100 million in 1995 dollars, updated annually for inflation. In 
2014, that threshold is approximately $141 million. This rule will not 
mandate any requirements for State, local, or tribal governments, nor 
will it affect private sector costs.

Public Law 96-354, ``Regulatory Flexibility Act'' (5 U.S.C. 601)

    The Department of Defense does not expect this proposed rule would 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 
601, et. seq.). The rule establishes a policy to provide a unified DoD 
program for commercial environmental laboratories to voluntarily 
demonstrate competency and document conformance to the international 
quality system standards already implemented by DoD. The Department's 
experience with these laboratories indicates that the professional 
skill and technical requirements of the accreditation program limits 
the numbers of entities that are likely to be impacted by this rule to 
approximately 100 entities. Therefore, the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 
as amended, does not require that DoD prepare a regulatory flexibility 
analysis.

Public Law 96-511, ``Paperwork Reduction Act'' (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35)

    It has been certified that 32 CFR part 188 does not impose 
reporting or recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995. The requirements in this rule do not require OMB approval 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act as the information is collected by 
the four accreditation bodies and not the Department. These 
accreditation bodies accredit the laboratories to meet DoD standards 
for environmental sampling and testing.

Executive Order 13132, ``Federalism''

    Executive Order 13132 establishes certain requirements that an 
agency must meet when it promulgates a proposed rule (and subsequent 
final rule) that imposes substantial direct requirement costs on State 
and local governments, preempts State law, or otherwise has Federalism 
implications. This rule will not have a substantial effect on State and 
local governments.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 188

    Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program, Oversight.

    Accordingly, 32 CFR part 188 is proposed to be added to read as 
follows:

PART 188--DOD ENVIRONMENTAL LABORATORY ACCREDITATION PROGRAM (ELAP)

Sec.
188.1 Purpose.
188.2 Applicability.
188.3 Definitions.
188.4 Policy.
188.5 Responsibilities.
188.6 Procedures.

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 3701, Public Law 106-554.


Sec.  188.1  Purpose.

    This part implements policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides 
procedures to be used by DoD personnel for the operation and management 
of the DoD ELAP.


Sec.  188.2  Applicability.

    This part applies to Office of the Secretary of Defense, the 
Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of 
Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the 
Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, 
the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within 
the DoD (referred to collectively in this part as the ``DoD 
Components'').


Sec.  188.3  Definitions.

    Unless otherwise noted, these terms and their definitions are for 
the purposes of this part.
    Accreditation. Third-party attestation conveying formal 
demonstration of a laboratory's competence to carry out specific tasks.
    Accreditation body (AB). Authoritative organization that performs 
accreditation.
    Assessment. Process undertaken by an AB to evaluate the competence 
of a laboratory, based on requirements contained in the DoD Quality 
Systems Manual for Environmental Laboratories (QSM), for a defined 
scope of accreditation.
    Change. A reissuance of the DoD QSM containing minor changes to 
requirements or clarifications of existing requirements necessary to 
ensure consistent implementation.
    Complaint. Defined in International Organization for 
Standardization/International Electrotechnical Commission (ISO/IEC) 
17025:2005, ``General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and 
Calibration Laboratories'' (available for purchase at http://www.iso.org/iso/store.htm).
    Contractor project chemist. Defined in Under Secretary of Defense 
for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Memorandum, ``Acquisitions 
Involving Environmental Sampling or Testing Services'' (available at 
http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfars/changenotice/2008/20080303/223.7.pdf).
    Corrective action response. Description, prepared by the 
laboratory, of specific actions to be taken to correct a deficiency and 
prevent its reoccurrence.
    Deficiency. An unauthorized deviation from requirements.
    Definitive data. Defined in DoD Instruction 4715.15, 
``Environmental Quality Systems'' (available at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/471515p.pdf).
    Environmental Data Quality Workgroup (EDQW) component principal. A 
voting member of the DoD EDQW.
    Errata sheet. A document prepared by the EDQW and issued by the 
EDQW chair, defining minor ``pen and ink'' changes that apply to the 
most recently issued version of the DoD QSM. Errata will be corrected 
in the next change or revision of the DoD QSM.
    Government chemist. Defined in USD(AT&L) Memorandum, ``Acquisitions 
Involving Environmental Sampling or Testing Services.''
    Government oversight. The set of activities performed by or on 
behalf of the DoD EDQW to provide assurance that ABs and assessors are 
providing thorough, consistent, objective, and impartial assessments 
within the specified scopes of accreditation and to identify 
opportunities for continual improvement of the DoD QSM and DoD ELAP.
    International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) mutual 
recognition arrangement (MRA). An arrangement through which ABs are 
evaluated and accepted by their peers for conformance to ILAC rules and 
procedures. To be accepted into the ILAC MRA, the AB must become a 
signatory to its requirements; specifically, it must commit to maintain

[[Page 61999]]

conformance with the current version of Deputy Secretary of Defense 
Memorandum, ``Ensuring Quality of Information Disseminated to the 
Public by the Department of Defense'') and ensure that the laboratories 
it accredits comply with ISO/IEC 17025:2005.
    ILAC MRA peer evaluation. The process through which ABs are 
assessed by other ABs and receive or maintain acceptance into the ILAC 
MRA.
    Project-specific laboratory approval. The set of activities 
undertaken by the DoD EDQW to assess whether a laboratory is competent 
to perform specific tests, in the case where no DoD-ELAP accredited 
laboratory is able to perform the required tests.
    Quality system. Defined in ISO/IEC 17025:2005.
    Recognition. The acceptance of an AB by the EDQW based on its 
demonstrated commitment to maintain signatory status in the ILAC MRA 
and accept the DoD ELAP conditions and criteria for recognition.
    Revision. A reissuance of the DoD QSM containing significant 
changes in requirements or scope. A significant change is one that 
could reasonably be expected to affect a laboratory's ability to comply 
with the requirement (i.e., the laboratory is likely to have to make a 
change in its quality system or technical procedures in order to 
maintain compliance).
    Scope of accreditation. Specific laboratory services, stated in 
terms of test method, matrix, and analyte, for which accreditation is 
sought or has been granted.


Sec.  188.4  Policy.

    It is DoD policy, in accordance with DoD Instruction 4715.15, to 
implement the DoD ELAP for the collection of definitive data in support 
of the Defense Environmental Restoration Program (DERP) at all DoD 
operations, activities, and installations, including government-owned, 
contractor-operated facilities and formerly used defense sites.


Sec.  188.5  Responsibilities.

    (a) Secretaries of the Military Departments and Director, Defense 
Logistics Agency (DLA). The Director, DLA, is under the authority, 
direction, and control of the USD(AT&L), through the Assistant 
Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness. The 
Secretaries of the Military Departments and Director, DLA:
    (1) Provide resources to support project-specific government 
oversight for the collection of definitive data in support of the DERP.
    (2) Provide resources to support project-specific laboratory 
approvals, if required.
    (b) Secretary of the Navy. In addition to the responsibilities in 
paragraph (a) of this section, the Secretary of the Navy plans, 
programs, and budgets for DoD EDQW activities necessary to support 
government oversight of the DoD ELAP.


Sec.  188.6  Procedures.

    (a) DoD ELAP Overview--(1) Introduction. (i) DoD ELAP provides a 
unified DoD program through which commercial environmental laboratories 
can voluntarily demonstrate competency and document conformance to the 
international standard established in ISO/IEC 17025:2005 as implemented 
by the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Environmental Security 
Memorandum, ``DoD Quality Systems Manual for Environmental 
Laboratories'' (available at http://www.denix.osd.mil/edqw/upload/QSM-V4-2-Final-102510.pdf) (referred to in this part as the ``DoD Quality 
Systems Manual for Environmental Laboratories (QSM)''). The DoD QSM 
provides minimum quality systems requirements, based on ISO/IEC 
17025:2005, for environmental laboratories performing testing for DoD.
    (ii) DoD ELAP was developed in compliance with 15 U.S.C. 3701 (also 
known as the ``National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act''). 
Support and guidance was provided by the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology, following procedures used to establish 
similar programs for other areas of testing. The DoD ELAP supports 
implementation of section 515 of Public Law 106-554, ``Treasury and 
General Government Appropriations Act, 2001'' and Office of Management 
and Budget Guidance, ``Guidelines for Ensuring and Maximizing the 
Quality, Objectivity, Utility, and Integrity of Information 
Disseminated by Federal Agencies'' (67 FR 8452) as implemented by 
Deputy Secretary of Defense Memorandum, ``Ensuring Quality of 
Information Disseminated to the Public by the Department of Defense.''
    (iii) Using third party ABs operating in accordance with the 
international standard ISO/IEC 17011:2004(E), ``Conformity Assessment--
General Requirements for Accreditation Bodies Accrediting Conformity 
Assessment Bodies'' (available for purchase at http://www.iso.org/iso/store.htm), the DoD ELAP:
    (A) Promotes interoperability among the DoD Components.
    (B) Promotes fair and open competition among commercial 
laboratories.
    (C) Streamlines the process for identifying and procuring competent 
providers of environmental laboratory services.
    (D) Promotes the collection of data of known and documented 
quality.
    (2) Authority. Operation of the DoD ELAP is authorized by DoD 
Instruction 4715.15.
    (3) Program Requirements. (i) Pursuant to DoD Instruction 4715.15, 
laboratories seeking to perform testing in support of the DERP must be 
accredited in accordance with DoD ELAP.
    (ii) The DoD ELAP applies to:
    (A) Environmental programs at DoD operations, activities, and 
installations, including government-owned, contractor-operated 
facilities and formerly used defense sites.
    (B) Permanent, temporary, and mobile laboratories regardless of 
their size, volume of business, or field of accreditation that generate 
definitive data.
    (iii) Participation in the program is voluntary and open to all 
laboratories that operate under a quality system conforming to ISO/IEC 
17025:2005 and Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Environmental 
Security Memorandum, ``DoD Quality Systems Manual for Environmental 
Laboratories.'' Laboratories may seek accreditation for any method they 
perform in accordance with documented procedures, including non-
standard methods. Laboratories are free to select any participating AB 
for accreditation services.
    (iv) To participate in DoD ELAP, ABs must be U.S.-based signatories 
to the ILAC MRA and must operate in accordance with ISO/IEC 
17011:2004(E).
    (4) Program Oversight. In accordance with Assistant Deputy Under 
Secretary of Defense for Installations and Environment Memorandum, 
``DoD Environmental Data Quality Workgroup Charter'' (available at 
http://www.denix.osd.mil/edqw/upload/USA004743-10-Signed-Memo-to-DASs-DLA-DoD-Envir-Data-Quality-Workgroup-Charter-1Oct10-1.pdf), the DoD 
EDQW:
    (i) Provides coordinated responses to legislative and regulatory 
initiatives.
    (ii) Responds to requests for DoD Component information.
    (iii) Develops and recommends department-wide policy related to 
sampling, testing, and quality assurance for environmental programs.
    (iv) Implements and provides oversight for the DoD ELAP.
    (v) Includes technical experts from the Military Services and DLA 
as well as an EDQW component principal

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(voting) member from each of the Military Services.
    (vi) Specifies the EDQW Navy principal, Director of Naval Sea 
Systems Command (NAVSEASYSCOM) 04XQ(LABS), serve as EDQW chair.
    (b) Maintaining the DoD QSM--(1) General. The DoD EDQW will 
maintain and improve the DoD QSM to ensure that:
    (i) The DoD QSM remains current in accordance with ISO/IEC 
17025:2005.
    (ii) Minimum essential requirements are met.
    (iii) Requirements are clear, concise, and auditable.
    (iv) The DoD QSM will efficiently and effectively support the DoD 
ELAP.
    (2) Procedures.--(i) Annual Review. At a minimum, the DoD EDQW will 
perform an annual review of the DoD QSM, based on feedback received 
from participants in DoD ELAP (e.g., DoD Components, commercial 
laboratories, and ABs). The review will also address any revisions to 
ISO/IEC 17025:2005.
    (ii) Ongoing Review. As received, the DoD EDQW will respond to 
questions submitted through the Defense Environmental Network 
Information Exchange (DENIX) concerning the interpretation of DoD QSM 
requirements. DoD EDQW participants will forward all questions through 
their EDQW component principal to the DoD EDQW chair.
    (iii) Issuances. The DoD EDQW chair will prepare DoD QSM updates:
    (A) Correspondence. The DoD EDQW chair, in consultation with the 
EDQW component principals, will prepare correspondence (email or 
memorandum) providing responses to all written requests for 
clarification and interpretation of the DoD QSM. Depending on the 
significance of the issue, as determined by the EDQW chair, the 
response may also result in a posting to the frequently asked question 
(FAQ) section of the appropriate Web sites.
    (B) Errata Sheets. Minor corrections to the DoD QSM, such as 
typographical errors, may be made by the issuance of an errata sheet 
defining ``pen and ink'' changes that apply to the current version of 
the DoD QSM. Following concurrence by all EDQW component principals, 
errata sheets will be issued as needed by the DoD EDQW chair. Errata 
will be corrected in the next change or revision to the DoD QSM.
    (C) Changes. Changes to the DoD QSM will be issued as necessary to 
reflect minor changes to requirements or clarifications of existing 
requirements that are necessary to ensure consistent implementation. 
Following concurrence by the EDQW component principals, changes will be 
issued by the DoD EDQW chair in the form of a complete DoD QSM.
    (1) The first change to DoD QSM Version 4 will be numbered Version 
4.1, the second change will be Version 4.2, etc.
    (2) Changes to the DoD QSM will be posted on DENIX in place of the 
previous version or change of the DoD QSM.
    (D) Revisions. A revision will be issued if one or more of the 
proposed changes could reasonably be expected to affect a laboratory's 
ability to comply with the requirement (i.e., the laboratory is likely 
to have to make a change in its quality system or technical 
procedures).
    (1) Once EDQW component principals have reached consensus on the 
proposed revision, the DoD EDQW chair will forward the proposed 
revision to all participating DoD ELAP-accredited laboratories and ABs 
for review.
    (2) The DoD EDQW will review and respond to comments received from 
the DoD ELAP-accredited laboratories and ABs within the designated 
comment period.
    (3) Following concurrence by the EDQW component principals, 
revisions will be issued by the DoD EDQW chair in the form of a 
complete DoD QSM.
    (4) A revision of Version 4 will be issued as Version 5, a revision 
of Version 5 will be issued as Version 6, etc.
    (5) The final revised version of the DoD QSM will be posted on 
DENIX in place of the previous version including any DoD QSM updates.
    (3) Continual Improvement. The DoD EDQW will meet with the ABs on 
an annual basis to review lessons learned and identify additional 
opportunities for continual improvement of the DoD ELAP and the DoD 
QSM.
    (4) Data and Records Management. Through NAVSEASYSCOM, the DoD EDQW 
will maintain all DoD QSM updates in accordance with Secretary of the 
Navy Manual M-5210.1, ``Department of the Navy Records Management 
Program: Records Management Manual'' (available at http://doni.daps.dla.mil/SECNAV%20Manuals1/5210.1.pdf).
    (c) Recognizing ABs.--(1) General. (i) The DoD EDQW will:
    (A) Use the procedures in this paragraph to evaluate and recognize 
third-party ABs in support of the DoD ELAP.
    (B) Develop and maintain the application for recognition, the 
conditions and criteria for recognition and related forms, and review 
submitted AB applications for completeness and compliance with DoD ELAP 
requirements.
    (ii) The DoD EDQW chair, following consultation with and 
concurrence by the EDQW component principals, grants or revokes AB 
recognition in accordance with this paragraph.
    (2) Limitations. Candidate ABs must be U.S.-based signatories in 
good standing to the ILAC MRA. ABs must maintain ILAC recognition to 
maintain DoD ELAP recognition. Because the EDQW continually monitors AB 
performance, no pre-defined limits are placed on the duration of 
recognition; however, the EDQW may revoke recognition at any time, for 
cause, in accordance with paragraph (c)(3)(vii) of this section.
    (3) Procedures.
    (i) Upon receipt of an application for recognition, the DoD EDQW 
will review the application package for completeness. A complete 
application package must include:
    (A) Application for recognition.
    (B) Signed acceptance of the conditions and criteria for DoD ELAP 
recognition.
    (C) Electronic copy of the AB's quality systems documentation.
    (D) Copy of the most recent ILAC MRA peer evaluation documentation.
    (ii) If necessary to complete the review, the DoD EDQW will request 
additional documentation from the applicant.
    (iii) The EDQW component principals will review the application 
package for compliance with requirements. Prior to granting 
recognition, the EDQW component principals must unanimously concur that 
all application requirements have been met.
    (iv) Once the EDQW component principals have completed review of 
the application package, the DoD EDQW chair will notify the AB, either 
granting recognition or citing specific reasons for not doing so (i.e., 
indicating which areas of the application package are deficient).
    (v) Once recognition has been granted, the DoD EDQW chair will post 
the name and contact information of the AB on DENIX.
    (vi) With unanimous concurrence, the EDQW component principals may 
revoke recognition if the AB:
    (A) Violates any of the conditions or criteria for recognition.
    (B) Fails to operate in accordance with its documented quality 
system.
    (vii) Should it become necessary to revoke an AB's recognition, the 
DoD EDQW chair will notify the AB stating specific reasons for the 
revocation and remove the AB's name from the list of DoD ELAP-
recognized ABs.

[[Page 62001]]

    (viii) If recognition is revoked, the AB must immediately cease to 
perform all DoD ELAP assessments.
    (ix) ABs who have been denied recognition, or ABs whose recognition 
has been revoked, may appeal that decision.
    (A) Within 15 calendar days of its receipt of a notice denying or 
revoking recognition, the AB must submit to the DoD EDQW chair a 
written statement with supporting documentation contesting the denial 
or revocation.
    (B) The submission must demonstrate that:
    (1) Clear, factual errors were made by the DoD EDQW during the 
review of the AB's application for recognition; or
    (2) The decision to revoke recognition was based on clear, factual 
errors, and that the AB would have been determined to meet all 
requirements for recognition if those errors had been corrected.
    (x) The DoD EDQW will have up to 30 calendar days to review the 
appeal and provide written notice to the AB either accepting the appeal 
and granting, or restoring, recognition, or explaining the basis for 
denying the appeal.
    (4) Continual Improvement. The DoD EDQW will meet with ABs on an 
annual basis to review lessons learned and identify additional 
opportunities for continual improvement of the DoD ELAP. On a 5-year 
cycle, at minimum, the DoD EDQW will evaluate whether the process for 
evaluating and recognizing ABs is continuing to meet DoD needs.
    (5) Data and Records Management. Through NAVSEASYSCOM, the DoD 
EDQW, will maintain copies of all application packages and associated 
documentation in accordance with Secretary of the Navy Manual M-5210.1.
    (d) Performing Government Oversight--(1) General. DoD personnel 
will use the procedures in this paragraph to perform and document 
government oversight of the DoD ELAP. Government oversight will include 
monitoring the performance of AB assessors during laboratory 
assessments, reviewing laboratory assessment reports, observing ILAC 
MRA peer evaluations, and evaluating AB Web sites for content on 
accredited laboratories.
    (2) Limitations. (i) DoD personnel performing oversight must 
observe, but must not participate in, laboratory assessments or ILAC 
MRA peer evaluations. Specifically, DoD personnel must not:
    (A) Offer specific advice to the laboratory regarding the 
development or implementation of quality systems or technical 
procedures;
    (B) Offer specific advice or direction to assessors or peer 
evaluators regarding accreditation processes, assessment procedures, or 
documentation of findings; or
    (C) Impede assessors, peer reviewers, or laboratory personnel in 
any way during the performance of their work, including technical 
procedures, document reviews, observations, interviews, and meetings.
    (ii) If, during the course of an assessment, questions by 
laboratory personnel or assessors are directed to DoD personnel, 
personnel must limit responses to specific text from the DoD QSM or 
published FAQs. DoD personnel must not render opinions regarding 
interpretation of the DoD QSM. If there are questions about the DoD QSM 
that require interpretation, DoD personnel must advise the assessor to 
contact the AB who may, if necessary, contact the DoD EDQW chair for a 
coordinated response.
    (iii) If DoD personnel observe any evidence of inappropriate 
practices on the part of assessors or laboratory personnel during the 
course of the assessment, they must record the observations and notify 
the DoD EDQW chair immediately (inappropriate practices are identified 
in the DoD QSM). DoD personnel must not call either the laboratory's or 
the assessor's attention to the specific practice in question.
    (3) Personnel Qualifications. DoD personnel or contractors 
performing oversight must:
    (i) Meet the government chemist or contractor project chemist 
requirements contained in the USD(AT&L) Memorandum, ``Acquisitions 
Involving Environmental Sampling or Testing Services.''
    (ii) Have a working knowledge of the DoD QSM requirements and be 
familiar with environmental test methods and instrumentation.
    (iii) Obey all laboratory instructions regarding health and safety 
precautions while in the laboratory.
    (4) Procedures. (i) The DoD EDQW will maintain an up-to-date 
calendar of scheduled assessments and peer evaluations based on input 
from the ABs, peer evaluators, and assigned oversight personnel.
    (ii) Once an assessment or peer review has been scheduled, the EDQW 
component principals will determine if DoD oversight of the activity 
will be performed. The goal will be to observe a representative number 
of activities for each AB.
    (iii) The EDQW component principals will provide the DoD EDQW chair 
the names of personnel from their respective DoD Components who will 
participate in the oversight.
    (iv) The DoD EDQW chair will provide the AB with contact 
information for the oversight personnel.
    (v) If two or more DoD personnel are scheduled to monitor the 
assessment, the DoD EDQW chair will designate a lead that will be 
responsible for compiling an oversight report.
    (vi) The lead for the oversight activity will request a copy of the 
assessment plan from the AB's lead assessor and distribute it to other 
oversight personnel.
    (vii) The lead will review the assessment plan to determine the 
scope of accreditation and ensure that oversight personnel are assigned 
to monitor a cross-section of the assessment.
    (viii) Persons performing oversight will review previous oversight 
reports, if available, for the particular AB and assessors performing 
the assessment.
    (ix) Observing all health and safety protective measures, oversight 
personnel must accompany the assessor(s) as they witness procedures and 
conduct interviews, taking care not to interfere with the assessment.
    (5) Reporting. Within 15 calendar days of the onsite assessment, 
the lead for the oversight activity will complete an oversight report 
and forward the completed report through the appropriate EDQW component 
principal to the DoD EDQW chair.
    (i) The DoD EDQW chair will provide copies of the report to the 
EDQW component principals for review.
    (ii) After review by the EDQW component principals, the DoD EDQW 
chair will provide a summary of the oversight report to the AB 
performing the assessment.
    (6) Handling Disputes. Laboratories must follow the AB's dispute 
resolution process for all disputes concerning the assessment or 
accreditation of the laboratory, including disagreements involving an 
interpretation of the DoD QSM arising during the accreditation process.
    (i) In the event the laboratory and the AB are unable to resolve a 
disagreement concerning the interpretation of the DoD QSM, either the 
laboratory or the AB may request the DoD EDQW provide an interpretation 
of the DoD QSM. The DoD EDQW chair will provide a written response to 
the laboratory and the AB providing the DoD authoritative 
interpretation of the DoD QSM. No review of this interpretation will be 
available to the laboratory or the AB.

[[Page 62002]]

    (ii) The DoD EDQW will not consider or take a position on requests 
by either a laboratory or an AB on a dispute concerning accreditation 
of the laboratory.
    (7) Continual Improvement. The DoD EDQW will:
    (i) Review the ABs' assessment reports and the DoD oversight 
reports to evaluate the thoroughness, consistency, objectivity, and 
impartiality of the DoD ELAP assessments.
    (ii) Compare assessment reports across laboratories, ABs, and 
assessors.
    (iii) Compare DoD ELAP findings to findings from previous 
assessments.
    (iv) Identify opportunities for continual improvement of the DoD 
ELAP.
    (v) Meet with ABs on an annual basis to review lessons learned and 
identify additional opportunities for continual improvement of the DoD 
ELAP.
    (8) Data and Records Management. Through NAVSEASYSCOM, the DoD EDQW 
will maintain copies of all oversight reports in accordance with 
Secretary of the Navy Manual M-5210.1.
    (e) Conducting Project-Specific Laboratory Approvals. (1) General. 
The DoD EDQW will use the procedures in this paragraph to conduct 
project-specific laboratory approvals for specific tests in the rare 
instances when DoD is unable to identify a DoD ELAP-accredited 
laboratory capable of providing the required services. This will ensure 
that competent laboratories are used to support DoD environmental 
projects. Examples of these rare instances include:
    (i) The required method, matrix, or analyte is not included in the 
scope of accreditation for any existing DoD ELAP-accredited 
laboratories.
    (ii) The required method, matrix, and analyte combination is 
included in the scope of accreditation for an existing accredited 
laboratory; however, the laboratory is unable to meet one or more of 
the project-specific measurement performance criteria.
    (2) Limitations. (i) Project-specific laboratory approvals are not 
to be used as substitutes for the required DoD ELAP-accreditation.
    (ii) The DoD EDQW will not perform project-specific laboratory 
approvals in cases where one or more DoD ELAP-accredited laboratories 
capable of meeting project-specific requirements are available.
    (iii) The project-specific laboratory approval is a one-time 
approval, the specific terms of which will be outlined in the approval 
notice issued by the DoD EDQW.
    (3) Personnel Qualifications. DoD personnel and contractors 
assessing laboratories for the purpose of performing project-specific 
laboratory approvals must meet the government chemist or contractor 
project chemist requirements contained in USD(AT&L) Memorandum, 
``Acquisitions Involving Environmental Sampling or Testing Services.'' 
Personnel must have a working knowledge of the DoD QSM requirements and 
be familiar with required environmental test methods and 
instrumentation.
    (4) Procedures. (i) If a project-specific laboratory approval is 
requested, the DoD EDQW will request and review a copy of the project's 
quality assurance project plan (QAPP).
    (ii) If, after review of the QAPP, the DoD EDQW determines that an 
existing DoD ELAP-accredited laboratory is available to provide the 
required services, the laboratory contact information will be provided 
to the project manager requesting assistance.
    (iii) If, after review of the QAPP, the DoD EDQW determines that no 
existing DoD ELAP-accredited laboratory is available to provide the 
required services, the DoD EDQW will:
    (A) Work with the project team to determine whether the use of 
alternative procedures by an existing DoD ELAP-accredited laboratory is 
feasible;
    (B) Determine if the required services can be added to the scope of 
accreditation of an existing DoD ELAP-accredited laboratory; or
    (C) Work with the project team to identify a candidate laboratory 
for project-specific laboratory approval.
    (iv) If a project-specific approval is needed, the DoD EDQW will:
    (A) Determine the type of assessment required (on-site, document 
review, etc.).
    (B) Determine if additional funding is required to support the 
assessment. If additional funding is required, the DoD EDQW will 
provide a cost estimate and work with the project manager to establish 
funding.
    (v) If the DoD EDQW determines that a project-specific laboratory 
approval is warranted and resources (including funding and technical 
expertise) are available to support the assessment, the DoD EDQW chair 
will coordinate with the EDQW component principals to appoint an 
assessment team with appropriate technical backgrounds.
    (vi) The DoD EDQW chair will designate an assessment team leader. 
The assessment team leader will:
    (A) Request the documentation needed to perform the assessment.
    (B) Assign responsibilities for individual members of the 
assessment team, if appropriate.
    (C) Coordinate the document reviews.
    (D) Lead the assessment team in the performance of the on-site 
assessment, if required.
    (E) Provide a report to the DoD EDQW chair. The report will 
identify whether:
    (1) The laboratory is capable of meeting all project-specific 
requirements.
    (2) Documentation procedures are in place to provide data that are 
scientifically valid, defensible, and reproducible.
    (3) Any deficiencies must be corrected prior to granting the 
project-specific laboratory approval.
    (vii) The DoD EDQW chair, with concurrence by the EDQW component 
principals, will issue a report to the project manager and laboratory 
detailing the results of the assessment and any deficiencies that must 
be corrected prior to granting a project-specific laboratory approval.
    (viii) Upon receipt of the laboratory's corrective action response, 
if required, the assessment team will:
    (A) Review the laboratory's corrective action response for 
resolving the deficiencies.
    (B) Provide the EDQW component principals with a final report 
describing the resolution of findings and containing recommendations on 
whether to grant the project-specific laboratory approval.
    (ix) The DoD EDQW chair, with concurrence by the EDQW component 
principals, will prepare a report for the DoD project manager 
describing the results of the assessment and the status and terms of 
the project-specific laboratory approval. Information about project-
specific laboratory approvals will not be posted on Web sites listing 
DoD ELAP-accredited laboratories.
    (5) Continual Improvement. The EDQW component principals will 
review project-specific laboratory assessment reports to evaluate the 
thoroughness, consistency, objectivity, and impartiality of project-
specific assessments and make recommendations for continual improvement 
of the DoD QSM and the DoD ELAP.
    (6) Data and Records Management. Through NAVSEASYSCOM, the DoD EDQW 
will maintain copies of all laboratory records and project-specific 
assessment reports in accordance with Secretary of the Navy Manual M-
5210.1.
    (f) Handling Complaints--(1) General. The DoD EDQW will use the 
procedures in this paragraph to handle complaints

[[Page 62003]]

concerning the processes established in the DoD ELAP or the DoD QSM. 
The DoD EDQW will document and resolve complaints promptly through the 
appropriate channels, consistently and objectively, and identify and 
implement any necessary corrective action arising from complaints. 
Complaints generally fall into one of four categories:
    (i) Complaints by any party against an accredited laboratory.
    (ii) Complaints by any party against an AB.
    (iii) Complaints by any party concerning any assessor acting on 
behalf of the AB.
    (iv) Complaints by any party against the DoD ELAP itself.
    (2) Limitations. The procedures in this paragraph:
    (i) Do not address appeals by laboratories regarding accreditation 
decisions by ABs. Appeals to decisions made by ABs regarding the 
accreditation status of any laboratory must be filed directly with the 
AB in accordance with agreements in place between the laboratory and 
the AB.
    (ii) Are not designed to handle allegations of unethical or illegal 
actions as described in paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of this section.
    (iii) Do not address complaints involving contractual requirements 
between a laboratory and its client. All contracting issues must be 
resolved with the contracting officer.
    (3) Procedures. (i) All complaints must be filed in writing to the 
EDQW chair. All complaints must provide the basis for the complaint 
(i.e., the specific process or requirement in the DoD ELAP or the DoD 
QSM that has not been satisfied or is believed to need changing) and 
supporting documentation, including descriptions of attempts to resolve 
the complaint by the laboratory or the AB.
    (ii) Upon receipt of the complaint, the DoD EDQW chair will assign 
a unique identifier to the complaint, send a notice of acknowledgement 
to the complainant, and forward a copy of the complaint to the EDQW 
component principals.
    (iii) In consultation with the EDQW component principals, the DoD 
EDQW chair will make a preliminary determination of the validity of the 
complaint. Following preliminary review, the actions available to the 
DoD EDQW chair include:
    (A) If the DoD EDQW chair determines the complaint should be 
handled directly between the complainant and the subject of the 
complaint, the DoD EDQW will refer the complaint to the laboratory, or 
AB, as appropriate. The DoD EDQW will notify the complainant of the 
referral, but will take no further action with respect to investigation 
of the compliant. The subject of the complaint will be expected to 
respond to the complainant in accordance with their established 
procedures and timelines. A copy of the response will be provided to 
the DoD EDQW.
    (B) If insufficient information has been provided to determine 
whether the complaint has merit, the DoD EDQW will return the complaint 
to the complainant with a request for additional supporting 
documentation.
    (C) If the complaint appears to have merit and the parties to the 
complaint have been unable to resolve it, the DoD EDQW will investigate 
the complaint and recommend actions for its resolution.
    (D) If available information does not support the complaint, the 
DoD EDQW may reject the complaint.
    (E) If the complaint alleges inappropriate laboratory practices or 
other misconduct, the DoD EDQW chair will consult legal counsel to 
determine the recommended course of action.
    (iv) In all cases, the DoD EDQW will notify the complainant and any 
other entity involved in the complaint and explain the response of the 
EDQW to the complaint.
    (4) Continual Improvement. The DoD EDQW will look into root causes 
and trends in complaints to help identify actions that should be taken 
by the DoD EDQW, or any parties involved with DoD ELAP, to prevent 
recurrence of problems that led to the complaints.
    (5) Data and Records Management. Through NAVSEASYSCOM, the DoD EDQW 
will maintain copies of all complaint documentation in accordance with 
Secretary of the Navy Manual M-5210.1.

    Dated: October 7, 2015.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2015-25999 Filed 10-14-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P



                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 199 / Thursday, October 15, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                           61997

                                                 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE                                   Treasury and General Government                       laboratories to received third-party
                                                                                                         Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001               accreditation and become eligible to
                                                 Office of the Secretary                                 (Pub. L. 106–554), which directed the                 provide environmental sampling and
                                                                                                         Office of Management and Budget                       testing services for DoD. It will be a
                                                 32 CFR Part 188                                         (OMB) to issue government-wide                        voluntary program open to any qualified
                                                                                                         guidelines that ‘‘provide policy and                  laboratories wishing to participate,
                                                 [Docket ID: DOD–2013–OS–0230]
                                                                                                         procedural guidance to Federal                        thereby promoting fair and open
                                                 RIN 0790–AJ16                                           Agencies for ensuring and maximizing                  competition among commercial
                                                                                                         the quality, objectivity, utility, and                laboratories.
                                                 DoD Environmental Laboratory                            integrity of information (including                      Since laboratories fund their own
                                                 Accreditation Program (ELAP)                            statistical information) disseminated by              participation in the accreditation
                                                                                                         Federal Agencies.’’ OMB guidelines,                   process, it will allow DoD to focus its
                                                 AGENCY:  Under Secretary of Defense for
                                                                                                         provided by FR Volume 67, Number 36,                  resources on providing oversight of
                                                 Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics,
                                                                                                         page 8452 (February 22, 2002) required                laboratory contracts. By proposing to
                                                 DoD.
                                                                                                         federal agencies to maintain a basic                  replace separate DoD Component-
                                                 ACTION: Proposed rule.                                  standard of quality and take appropriate              specific laboratory approval programs,
                                                                                                         steps to incorporate information quality              The DoD ELAP will eliminate
                                                 SUMMARY:    This proposed rule would
                                                                                                         criteria into DoD public information                  redundant assessments, promote
                                                 establish policy, assign responsibilities,
                                                                                                         dissemination practices. The guidance                 interoperability across the Department,
                                                 and provide procedures to be used by
                                                                                                         further provided that DoD Components                  streamline the process for DoD to
                                                 DoD personnel for the operation and
                                                                                                         shall adopt standards of quality that are             identify and procure competent
                                                 management of the DoD ELAP. The DoD
                                                                                                         appropriate to the nature and timeliness              providers of environmental laboratory
                                                 ELAP provides a unified DoD program
                                                                                                         of the information they disseminate.                  services, and provide more
                                                 through which commercial
                                                                                                         The DoD ELAP provides the standards                   opportunities for commercial
                                                 environmental laboratories can
                                                                                                         for ensuring the quality, objectivity,                laboratories to participate in DoD
                                                 voluntarily demonstrate competency
                                                                                                         utility, and integrity of definitive                  environmental sampling and testing
                                                 and document conformance to the                         environmental testing data disseminated
                                                 international quality systems standards                                                                       contracts.
                                                                                                         by DoD for the Defense Environmental                     The scope of accreditation under
                                                 as they are implemented by DoD.                         Restoration Program (DERP).                           ELAP includes specific laboratory
                                                 DATES: Comments must be received by                       This rule includes a general overview               services such as the test methods used,
                                                 December 14, 2015.                                      of DoD ELAP and establishment of                      type of material tested (soil, water, etc.),
                                                 ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,                     standard operating procedures. It                     and type of contaminants measured.
                                                 identified by docket number and/or                      utilizes the baseline quality systems                 The evaluation of a test method also
                                                 Regulatory Information Number (RIN)                     requirements of The NELAC Institute                   includes the use of internal laboratory
                                                 number and title, by any of the                         (TNI) and ISO/IEC 17025 standards, but                standard operating procedures.
                                                 following methods:                                      alone neither of these standards meet
                                                   • Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://                  the testing and analysis needs for DERP.              Regulatory Procedures
                                                 www.regulations.gov. Follow the                         Therefore the DoD Quality Systems                     Executive Order 12866, ‘‘Regulatory
                                                 instructions for submitting comments.                   Manual (QSM) for environmental                        Planning and Review’’ and Executive
                                                   • Mail: Department of Defense, Office                 laboratories serves as the standard for               Order 13563, ‘‘Improving Regulation
                                                 of the Deputy Chief Management                          DoD ELAP accreditation. The QSM                       and Regulatory Review’’
                                                 Officer, Directorate of Oversight and                   contains the minimum requirements
                                                                                                         DoD considers essential to ensure the                    Executive Orders 13563 and 12866
                                                 Compliance, Regulatory and Audit
                                                                                                         generation of definitive environmental                direct agencies to assess all costs and
                                                 Matters Office, 9010 Defense Pentagon,
                                                                                                         data of know quality, appropriate for                 benefits of available regulatory
                                                 Washington, DC 20301–9010.
                                                                                                         their intended uses. These minimal                    alternatives and, if regulation is
                                                    Instructions: All submissions received
                                                                                                         needs are not met by TNI or ISO 17025                 necessary, to select regulatory
                                                 must include the agency name and
                                                                                                         standards alone. The DoD ELAP                         approaches that maximize net benefits
                                                 docket number or RIN for this Federal
                                                                                                         includes procedures on how to evaluate                (including potential economic,
                                                 Register document. The general policy
                                                                                                         and recognize 3rd party accreditation                 environmental, public health and safety
                                                 for comments and other submissions
                                                                                                         bodies; perform and document                          effects, distribute impacts, and equity).
                                                 from members of the public is to make
                                                                                                         government oversight of the DoD ELAP                  Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the
                                                 these submissions available for public
                                                                                                         to ensure ongoing compliance with                     importance of quantifying both costs
                                                 viewing on the Internet at http://
                                                                                                         program requirements and to identify                  and benefits, of reducing costs, of
                                                 www.regulations.gov as they are
                                                                                                         opportunities for continual                           harmonizing rules, and of promoting
                                                 received without change, including any
                                                                                                         improvement; conduct project-specific                 flexibility. This rule has been
                                                 personal identifiers or contact
                                                                                                         laboratory approvals for specific tests               designated a ‘‘significant regulatory
                                                 information.
                                                                                                         not addressed in the DoD ELAP; and                    action,’’ but not an economically
                                                 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                        handle specific complaints concerning                 significant action because it does not:
                                                 Edmund Miller, 571–372–6904.                            the processes established by the DoD                  (1) Have an annual effect on the
                                                 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                              ELAP or the QSM.                                      economy of $100 million or more or
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                                                                                                           Past DoD laboratory assessment                      adversely affect in a material way the
                                                 Executive Summary                                       programs were specific to each DoD                    economy; a section of the economy;
                                                    The purpose of this regulatory action                Component and limited to available                    productivity; competition; jobs; the
                                                 is to document the procedures for the                   resources. This created an overlap in                 environment; public health or safety; or
                                                 operation and management of the DoD                     assessments and fewer opportunities for               State, local, or tribal governments or
                                                 Environmental Laboratory Accreditation                  laboratories to participate on DoD                    communities; (2) create a serious
                                                 Program (ELAP). The legal authority for                 contracts. This rule proposes to                      inconsistency or otherwise interfere
                                                 the regulatory action is Section 515,                   establish a program to allow qualified                with an action taken or planned by


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                                                 61998                 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 199 / Thursday, October 15, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                 another Agency; (3) materially alter the                Executive Order 13132, ‘‘Federalism’’                    Change. A reissuance of the DoD QSM
                                                 budgetary impact of entitlements,                          Executive Order 13132 establishes                  containing minor changes to
                                                 grants, user fees, or loan programs, or                 certain requirements that an agency                   requirements or clarifications of existing
                                                 the rights and obligations of recipients                must meet when it promulgates a                       requirements necessary to ensure
                                                 thereof; or (4) raise novel legal or policy             proposed rule (and subsequent final                   consistent implementation.
                                                 issues arising out of legal mandates, the               rule) that imposes substantial direct                    Complaint. Defined in International
                                                 President’s priorities, or the principles               requirement costs on State and local                  Organization for Standardization/
                                                 set forth in these Executive Orders.                    governments, preempts State law, or                   International Electrotechnical
                                                                                                         otherwise has Federalism implications.                Commission (ISO/IEC) 17025:2005,
                                                 Sec. 202, Public Law 104–4, ‘‘Unfunded                                                                        ‘‘General Requirements for the
                                                                                                         This rule will not have a substantial
                                                 Mandates Reform Act’’                                                                                         Competence of Testing and Calibration
                                                                                                         effect on State and local governments.
                                                                                                                                                               Laboratories’’ (available for purchase at
                                                    Section 202 of the Unfunded                          List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 188                   http://www.iso.org/iso/store.htm).
                                                 Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (UMRA)                                                                               Contractor project chemist. Defined in
                                                                                                           Environmental Laboratory
                                                 (Pub. L. 104–4) requires agencies assess                                                                      Under Secretary of Defense for
                                                                                                         Accreditation Program, Oversight.
                                                 anticipated costs and benefits before                                                                         Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics
                                                 issuing any rule whose mandates                           Accordingly, 32 CFR part 188 is
                                                                                                                                                               Memorandum, ‘‘Acquisitions Involving
                                                 require spending in any 1 year of $100                  proposed to be added to read as follows:
                                                                                                                                                               Environmental Sampling or Testing
                                                 million in 1995 dollars, updated                        PART 188—DOD ENVIRONMENTAL                            Services’’ (available at http://
                                                 annually for inflation. In 2014, that                   LABORATORY ACCREDITATION                              www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfars/
                                                 threshold is approximately $141                         PROGRAM (ELAP)                                        changenotice/2008/20080303/
                                                 million. This rule will not mandate any                                                                       223.7.pdf).
                                                 requirements for State, local, or tribal                Sec.                                                     Corrective action response.
                                                 governments, nor will it affect private                 188.1     Purpose.                                    Description, prepared by the laboratory,
                                                 sector costs.                                           188.2     Applicability.                              of specific actions to be taken to correct
                                                                                                         188.3     Definitions.                                a deficiency and prevent its
                                                 Public Law 96–354, ‘‘Regulatory                         188.4     Policy.
                                                                                                         188.5     Responsibilities.
                                                                                                                                                               reoccurrence.
                                                 Flexibility Act’’ (5 U.S.C. 601)                                                                                 Deficiency. An unauthorized
                                                                                                         188.6     Procedures.
                                                                                                                                                               deviation from requirements.
                                                   The Department of Defense does not                      Authority: 15 U.S.C. 3701, Public Law                  Definitive data. Defined in DoD
                                                 expect this proposed rule would have a                  106–554.                                              Instruction 4715.15, ‘‘Environmental
                                                 significant economic impact on a                                                                              Quality Systems’’ (available at http://
                                                 substantial number of small entities                    § 188.1    Purpose.
                                                                                                           This part implements policy, assigns                www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/
                                                 within the meaning of the Regulatory                                                                          471515p.pdf).
                                                 Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601, et. seq.).               responsibilities, and provides
                                                                                                                                                                  Environmental Data Quality
                                                 The rule establishes a policy to provide                procedures to be used by DoD personnel
                                                                                                                                                               Workgroup (EDQW) component
                                                 a unified DoD program for commercial                    for the operation and management of the
                                                                                                                                                               principal. A voting member of the DoD
                                                 environmental laboratories to                           DoD ELAP.
                                                                                                                                                               EDQW.
                                                 voluntarily demonstrate competency                      § 188.2    Applicability.                                Errata sheet. A document prepared by
                                                 and document conformance to the                            This part applies to Office of the                 the EDQW and issued by the EDQW
                                                 international quality system standards                  Secretary of Defense, the Military                    chair, defining minor ‘‘pen and ink’’
                                                 already implemented by DoD. The                         Departments, the Office of the Chairman               changes that apply to the most recently
                                                 Department’s experience with these                      of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint            issued version of the DoD QSM. Errata
                                                 laboratories indicates that the                         Staff, the Combatant Commands, the                    will be corrected in the next change or
                                                 professional skill and technical                        Office of the Inspector General of the                revision of the DoD QSM.
                                                 requirements of the accreditation                       Department of Defense, the Defense                       Government chemist. Defined in
                                                 program limits the numbers of entities                  Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and               USD(AT&L) Memorandum,
                                                 that are likely to be impacted by this                  all other organizational entities within              ‘‘Acquisitions Involving Environmental
                                                 rule to approximately 100 entities.                     the DoD (referred to collectively in this             Sampling or Testing Services.’’
                                                 Therefore, the Regulatory Flexibility                   part as the ‘‘DoD Components’’).                         Government oversight. The set of
                                                 Act, as amended, does not require that                                                                        activities performed by or on behalf of
                                                 DoD prepare a regulatory flexibility                    § 188.3    Definitions.                               the DoD EDQW to provide assurance
                                                 analysis.                                                 Unless otherwise noted, these terms                 that ABs and assessors are providing
                                                                                                         and their definitions are for the                     thorough, consistent, objective, and
                                                 Public Law 96–511, ‘‘Paperwork                          purposes of this part.                                impartial assessments within the
                                                 Reduction Act’’ (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35)                    Accreditation. Third-party attestation              specified scopes of accreditation and to
                                                                                                         conveying formal demonstration of a                   identify opportunities for continual
                                                   It has been certified that 32 CFR part                laboratory’s competence to carry out                  improvement of the DoD QSM and DoD
                                                 188 does not impose reporting or                        specific tasks.                                       ELAP.
                                                 recordkeeping requirements under the                      Accreditation body (AB).                               International Laboratory
                                                 Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The                    Authoritative organization that performs              Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC)
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                                                 requirements in this rule do not require                accreditation.                                        mutual recognition arrangement (MRA).
                                                 OMB approval under the Paperwork                          Assessment. Process undertaken by an                An arrangement through which ABs are
                                                 Reduction Act as the information is                     AB to evaluate the competence of a                    evaluated and accepted by their peers
                                                 collected by the four accreditation                     laboratory, based on requirements                     for conformance to ILAC rules and
                                                 bodies and not the Department. These                    contained in the DoD Quality Systems                  procedures. To be accepted into the
                                                 accreditation bodies accredit the                       Manual for Environmental Laboratories                 ILAC MRA, the AB must become a
                                                 laboratories to meet DoD standards for                  (QSM), for a defined scope of                         signatory to its requirements;
                                                 environmental sampling and testing.                     accreditation.                                        specifically, it must commit to maintain


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                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 199 / Thursday, October 15, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                         61999

                                                 conformance with the current version of                   (2) Provide resources to support                       (C) Streamlines the process for
                                                 Deputy Secretary of Defense                             project-specific laboratory approvals, if             identifying and procuring competent
                                                 Memorandum, ‘‘Ensuring Quality of                       required.                                             providers of environmental laboratory
                                                 Information Disseminated to the Public                    (b) Secretary of the Navy. In addition              services.
                                                 by the Department of Defense’’) and                     to the responsibilities in paragraph (a) of              (D) Promotes the collection of data of
                                                 ensure that the laboratories it accredits               this section, the Secretary of the Navy               known and documented quality.
                                                 comply with ISO/IEC 17025:2005.                         plans, programs, and budgets for DoD                     (2) Authority. Operation of the DoD
                                                   ILAC MRA peer evaluation. The                         EDQW activities necessary to support                  ELAP is authorized by DoD Instruction
                                                 process through which ABs are assessed                  government oversight of the DoD ELAP.                 4715.15.
                                                 by other ABs and receive or maintain                                                                             (3) Program Requirements. (i)
                                                 acceptance into the ILAC MRA.                           § 188.6    Procedures.                                Pursuant to DoD Instruction 4715.15,
                                                   Project-specific laboratory approval.                    (a) DoD ELAP Overview—(1)                          laboratories seeking to perform testing
                                                 The set of activities undertaken by the                 Introduction. (i) DoD ELAP provides a                 in support of the DERP must be
                                                 DoD EDQW to assess whether a                            unified DoD program through which                     accredited in accordance with DoD
                                                 laboratory is competent to perform                      commercial environmental laboratories                 ELAP.
                                                 specific tests, in the case where no                    can voluntarily demonstrate                              (ii) The DoD ELAP applies to:
                                                 DoD–ELAP accredited laboratory is able                  competency and document conformance                      (A) Environmental programs at DoD
                                                 to perform the required tests.                          to the international standard established             operations, activities, and installations,
                                                   Quality system. Defined in ISO/IEC                    in ISO/IEC 17025:2005 as implemented                  including government-owned,
                                                 17025:2005.                                             by the Deputy Under Secretary of                      contractor-operated facilities and
                                                   Recognition. The acceptance of an AB                  Defense for Environmental Security                    formerly used defense sites.
                                                 by the EDQW based on its demonstrated                   Memorandum, ‘‘DoD Quality Systems                        (B) Permanent, temporary, and mobile
                                                 commitment to maintain signatory                        Manual for Environmental Laboratories’’               laboratories regardless of their size,
                                                 status in the ILAC MRA and accept the                   (available at http://www.denix.osd.mil/               volume of business, or field of
                                                 DoD ELAP conditions and criteria for                    edqw/upload/QSM-V4-2-Final-                           accreditation that generate definitive
                                                 recognition.                                            102510.pdf) (referred to in this part as              data.
                                                   Revision. A reissuance of the DoD                     the ‘‘DoD Quality Systems Manual for                     (iii) Participation in the program is
                                                 QSM containing significant changes in                   Environmental Laboratories (QSM)’’).                  voluntary and open to all laboratories
                                                 requirements or scope. A significant                    The DoD QSM provides minimum                          that operate under a quality system
                                                 change is one that could reasonably be                  quality systems requirements, based on                conforming to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and
                                                 expected to affect a laboratory’s ability               ISO/IEC 17025:2005, for environmental                 Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for
                                                 to comply with the requirement (i.e., the               laboratories performing testing for DoD.              Environmental Security Memorandum,
                                                 laboratory is likely to have to make a                     (ii) DoD ELAP was developed in                     ‘‘DoD Quality Systems Manual for
                                                 change in its quality system or technical               compliance with 15 U.S.C. 3701 (also                  Environmental Laboratories.’’
                                                 procedures in order to maintain                         known as the ‘‘National Technology                    Laboratories may seek accreditation for
                                                 compliance).                                            Transfer and Advancement Act’’).                      any method they perform in accordance
                                                   Scope of accreditation. Specific                      Support and guidance was provided by                  with documented procedures, including
                                                 laboratory services, stated in terms of                 the National Institute of Standards and               non-standard methods. Laboratories are
                                                 test method, matrix, and analyte, for                   Technology, following procedures used                 free to select any participating AB for
                                                 which accreditation is sought or has                    to establish similar programs for other               accreditation services.
                                                 been granted.                                           areas of testing. The DoD ELAP supports                  (iv) To participate in DoD ELAP, ABs
                                                                                                         implementation of section 515 of Public               must be U.S.-based signatories to the
                                                 § 188.4   Policy.                                       Law 106–554, ‘‘Treasury and General                   ILAC MRA and must operate in
                                                    It is DoD policy, in accordance with                 Government Appropriations Act, 2001’’                 accordance with ISO/IEC 17011:2004(E).
                                                 DoD Instruction 4715.15, to implement                   and Office of Management and Budget                      (4) Program Oversight. In accordance
                                                 the DoD ELAP for the collection of                      Guidance, ‘‘Guidelines for Ensuring and               with Assistant Deputy Under Secretary
                                                 definitive data in support of the Defense               Maximizing the Quality, Objectivity,                  of Defense for Installations and
                                                 Environmental Restoration Program                       Utility, and Integrity of Information                 Environment Memorandum, ‘‘DoD
                                                 (DERP) at all DoD operations, activities,               Disseminated by Federal Agencies’’ (67                Environmental Data Quality Workgroup
                                                 and installations, including                            FR 8452) as implemented by Deputy                     Charter’’ (available at http://
                                                 government-owned, contractor-operated                   Secretary of Defense Memorandum,                      www.denix.osd.mil/edqw/upload/
                                                 facilities and formerly used defense                    ‘‘Ensuring Quality of Information                     USA004743-10-Signed-Memo-to-DASs-
                                                 sites.                                                  Disseminated to the Public by the                     DLA-DoD-Envir-Data-Quality-
                                                                                                         Department of Defense.’’                              Workgroup-Charter-1Oct10-1.pdf), the
                                                 § 188.5   Responsibilities.                                (iii) Using third party ABs operating              DoD EDQW:
                                                   (a) Secretaries of the Military                       in accordance with the international                     (i) Provides coordinated responses to
                                                 Departments and Director, Defense                       standard ISO/IEC 17011:2004(E),                       legislative and regulatory initiatives.
                                                 Logistics Agency (DLA). The Director,                   ‘‘Conformity Assessment—General                          (ii) Responds to requests for DoD
                                                 DLA, is under the authority, direction,                 Requirements for Accreditation Bodies                 Component information.
                                                 and control of the USD(AT&L), through                   Accrediting Conformity Assessment                        (iii) Develops and recommends
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                                                 the Assistant Secretary of Defense for                  Bodies’’ (available for purchase at                   department-wide policy related to
                                                 Logistics and Materiel Readiness. The                   http://www.iso.org/iso/store.htm), the                sampling, testing, and quality assurance
                                                 Secretaries of the Military Departments                 DoD ELAP:                                             for environmental programs.
                                                 and Director, DLA:                                         (A) Promotes interoperability among                   (iv) Implements and provides
                                                   (1) Provide resources to support                      the DoD Components.                                   oversight for the DoD ELAP.
                                                 project-specific government oversight                      (B) Promotes fair and open                            (v) Includes technical experts from
                                                 for the collection of definitive data in                competition among commercial                          the Military Services and DLA as well
                                                 support of the DERP.                                    laboratories.                                         as an EDQW component principal


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                                                 62000                 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 199 / Thursday, October 15, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                 (voting) member from each of the                        changes will be issued by the DoD                     compliance with DoD ELAP
                                                 Military Services.                                      EDQW chair in the form of a complete                  requirements.
                                                    (vi) Specifies the EDQW Navy                         DoD QSM.                                                (ii) The DoD EDQW chair, following
                                                 principal, Director of Naval Sea Systems                   (1) The first change to DoD QSM                    consultation with and concurrence by
                                                 Command (NAVSEASYSCOM)                                  Version 4 will be numbered Version 4.1,               the EDQW component principals, grants
                                                 04XQ(LABS), serve as EDQW chair.                        the second change will be Version 4.2,                or revokes AB recognition in accordance
                                                    (b) Maintaining the DoD QSM—(1)                      etc.                                                  with this paragraph.
                                                 General. The DoD EDQW will maintain                        (2) Changes to the DoD QSM will be                   (2) Limitations. Candidate ABs must
                                                 and improve the DoD QSM to ensure                       posted on DENIX in place of the                       be U.S.-based signatories in good
                                                 that:                                                   previous version or change of the DoD                 standing to the ILAC MRA. ABs must
                                                    (i) The DoD QSM remains current in                   QSM.                                                  maintain ILAC recognition to maintain
                                                 accordance with ISO/IEC 17025:2005.                        (D) Revisions. A revision will be                  DoD ELAP recognition. Because the
                                                    (ii) Minimum essential requirements                  issued if one or more of the proposed                 EDQW continually monitors AB
                                                 are met.                                                changes could reasonably be expected to               performance, no pre-defined limits are
                                                    (iii) Requirements are clear, concise,               affect a laboratory’s ability to comply               placed on the duration of recognition;
                                                 and auditable.                                          with the requirement (i.e., the laboratory            however, the EDQW may revoke
                                                    (iv) The DoD QSM will efficiently and                                                                      recognition at any time, for cause, in
                                                                                                         is likely to have to make a change in its
                                                 effectively support the DoD ELAP.                                                                             accordance with paragraph (c)(3)(vii) of
                                                                                                         quality system or technical procedures).
                                                    (2) Procedures.—(i) Annual Review.
                                                                                                            (1) Once EDQW component principals                 this section.
                                                 At a minimum, the DoD EDQW will
                                                                                                         have reached consensus on the                           (3) Procedures.
                                                 perform an annual review of the DoD
                                                 QSM, based on feedback received from                    proposed revision, the DoD EDQW chair                   (i) Upon receipt of an application for
                                                 participants in DoD ELAP (e.g., DoD                     will forward the proposed revision to all             recognition, the DoD EDQW will review
                                                 Components, commercial laboratories,                    participating DoD ELAP-accredited                     the application package for
                                                 and ABs). The review will also address                  laboratories and ABs for review.                      completeness. A complete application
                                                 any revisions to ISO/IEC 17025:2005.                       (2) The DoD EDQW will review and                   package must include:
                                                    (ii) Ongoing Review. As received, the                respond to comments received from the                   (A) Application for recognition.
                                                 DoD EDQW will respond to questions                      DoD ELAP-accredited laboratories and                    (B) Signed acceptance of the
                                                 submitted through the Defense                           ABs within the designated comment                     conditions and criteria for DoD ELAP
                                                 Environmental Network Information                       period.                                               recognition.
                                                 Exchange (DENIX) concerning the                            (3) Following concurrence by the                     (C) Electronic copy of the AB’s quality
                                                 interpretation of DoD QSM                               EDQW component principals, revisions                  systems documentation.
                                                 requirements. DoD EDQW participants                     will be issued by the DoD EDQW chair                    (D) Copy of the most recent ILAC
                                                 will forward all questions through their                in the form of a complete DoD QSM.                    MRA peer evaluation documentation.
                                                 EDQW component principal to the DoD                        (4) A revision of Version 4 will be                  (ii) If necessary to complete the
                                                 EDQW chair.                                             issued as Version 5, a revision of                    review, the DoD EDQW will request
                                                    (iii) Issuances. The DoD EDQW chair                  Version 5 will be issued as Version 6,                additional documentation from the
                                                 will prepare DoD QSM updates:                           etc.                                                  applicant.
                                                    (A) Correspondence. The DoD EDQW                        (5) The final revised version of the                 (iii) The EDQW component principals
                                                 chair, in consultation with the EDQW                    DoD QSM will be posted on DENIX in                    will review the application package for
                                                 component principals, will prepare                      place of the previous version including               compliance with requirements. Prior to
                                                 correspondence (email or                                any DoD QSM updates.                                  granting recognition, the EDQW
                                                 memorandum) providing responses to                         (3) Continual Improvement. The DoD                 component principals must
                                                 all written requests for clarification and              EDQW will meet with the ABs on an                     unanimously concur that all application
                                                 interpretation of the DoD QSM.                          annual basis to review lessons learned                requirements have been met.
                                                 Depending on the significance of the                    and identify additional opportunities for               (iv) Once the EDQW component
                                                 issue, as determined by the EDQW                        continual improvement of the DoD                      principals have completed review of the
                                                 chair, the response may also result in a                ELAP and the DoD QSM.                                 application package, the DoD EDQW
                                                 posting to the frequently asked question                   (4) Data and Records Management.                   chair will notify the AB, either granting
                                                 (FAQ) section of the appropriate Web                    Through NAVSEASYSCOM, the DoD                         recognition or citing specific reasons for
                                                 sites.                                                  EDQW will maintain all DoD QSM                        not doing so (i.e., indicating which areas
                                                    (B) Errata Sheets. Minor corrections to              updates in accordance with Secretary of               of the application package are deficient).
                                                 the DoD QSM, such as typographical                      the Navy Manual M–5210.1,                               (v) Once recognition has been granted,
                                                 errors, may be made by the issuance of                  ‘‘Department of the Navy Records                      the DoD EDQW chair will post the name
                                                 an errata sheet defining ‘‘pen and ink’’                Management Program: Records                           and contact information of the AB on
                                                 changes that apply to the current                       Management Manual’’ (available at                     DENIX.
                                                 version of the DoD QSM. Following                       http://doni.daps.dla.mil/                               (vi) With unanimous concurrence, the
                                                 concurrence by all EDQW component                       SECNAV%20Manuals1/5210.1.pdf).                        EDQW component principals may
                                                 principals, errata sheets will be issued                   (c) Recognizing ABs.—(1) General. (i)              revoke recognition if the AB:
                                                 as needed by the DoD EDQW chair.                        The DoD EDQW will:                                      (A) Violates any of the conditions or
                                                 Errata will be corrected in the next                       (A) Use the procedures in this                     criteria for recognition.
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                                                 change or revision to the DoD QSM.                      paragraph to evaluate and recognize                     (B) Fails to operate in accordance
                                                    (C) Changes. Changes to the DoD QSM                  third-party ABs in support of the DoD                 with its documented quality system.
                                                 will be issued as necessary to reflect                  ELAP.                                                   (vii) Should it become necessary to
                                                 minor changes to requirements or                           (B) Develop and maintain the                       revoke an AB’s recognition, the DoD
                                                 clarifications of existing requirements                 application for recognition, the                      EDQW chair will notify the AB stating
                                                 that are necessary to ensure consistent                 conditions and criteria for recognition               specific reasons for the revocation and
                                                 implementation. Following concurrence                   and related forms, and review submitted               remove the AB’s name from the list of
                                                 by the EDQW component principals,                       AB applications for completeness and                  DoD ELAP-recognized ABs.


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                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 199 / Thursday, October 15, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                          62001

                                                    (viii) If recognition is revoked, the AB             implementation of quality systems or                     (iii) The EDQW component principals
                                                 must immediately cease to perform all                   technical procedures;                                 will provide the DoD EDQW chair the
                                                 DoD ELAP assessments.                                      (B) Offer specific advice or direction             names of personnel from their
                                                    (ix) ABs who have been denied                        to assessors or peer evaluators regarding             respective DoD Components who will
                                                 recognition, or ABs whose recognition                   accreditation processes, assessment                   participate in the oversight.
                                                 has been revoked, may appeal that                       procedures, or documentation of                          (iv) The DoD EDQW chair will
                                                 decision.                                               findings; or                                          provide the AB with contact
                                                    (A) Within 15 calendar days of its                      (C) Impede assessors, peer reviewers,              information for the oversight personnel.
                                                 receipt of a notice denying or revoking                 or laboratory personnel in any way                       (v) If two or more DoD personnel are
                                                 recognition, the AB must submit to the                  during the performance of their work,                 scheduled to monitor the assessment,
                                                 DoD EDQW chair a written statement                      including technical procedures,                       the DoD EDQW chair will designate a
                                                 with supporting documentation                           document reviews, observations,                       lead that will be responsible for
                                                 contesting the denial or revocation.                    interviews, and meetings.                             compiling an oversight report.
                                                    (B) The submission must demonstrate                     (ii) If, during the course of an                      (vi) The lead for the oversight activity
                                                 that:                                                   assessment, questions by laboratory                   will request a copy of the assessment
                                                    (1) Clear, factual errors were made by               personnel or assessors are directed to                plan from the AB’s lead assessor and
                                                 the DoD EDQW during the review of the                   DoD personnel, personnel must limit                   distribute it to other oversight
                                                 AB’s application for recognition; or                    responses to specific text from the DoD               personnel.
                                                    (2) The decision to revoke recognition               QSM or published FAQs. DoD                               (vii) The lead will review the
                                                 was based on clear, factual errors, and                 personnel must not render opinions                    assessment plan to determine the scope
                                                 that the AB would have been                             regarding interpretation of the DoD                   of accreditation and ensure that
                                                 determined to meet all requirements for                 QSM. If there are questions about the                 oversight personnel are assigned to
                                                 recognition if those errors had been                    DoD QSM that require interpretation,                  monitor a cross-section of the
                                                 corrected.                                              DoD personnel must advise the assessor                assessment.
                                                                                                         to contact the AB who may, if necessary,                 (viii) Persons performing oversight
                                                    (x) The DoD EDQW will have up to
                                                                                                         contact the DoD EDQW chair for a                      will review previous oversight reports,
                                                 30 calendar days to review the appeal
                                                                                                         coordinated response.                                 if available, for the particular AB and
                                                 and provide written notice to the AB
                                                                                                                                                               assessors performing the assessment.
                                                 either accepting the appeal and                            (iii) If DoD personnel observe any
                                                                                                                                                                  (ix) Observing all health and safety
                                                 granting, or restoring, recognition, or                 evidence of inappropriate practices on
                                                                                                                                                               protective measures, oversight
                                                 explaining the basis for denying the                    the part of assessors or laboratory
                                                                                                                                                               personnel must accompany the
                                                 appeal.                                                 personnel during the course of the
                                                                                                                                                               assessor(s) as they witness procedures
                                                    (4) Continual Improvement. The DoD                   assessment, they must record the
                                                                                                                                                               and conduct interviews, taking care not
                                                 EDQW will meet with ABs on an annual                    observations and notify the DoD EDQW
                                                                                                                                                               to interfere with the assessment.
                                                 basis to review lessons learned and                     chair immediately (inappropriate                         (5) Reporting. Within 15 calendar
                                                 identify additional opportunities for                   practices are identified in the DoD                   days of the onsite assessment, the lead
                                                 continual improvement of the DoD                        QSM). DoD personnel must not call                     for the oversight activity will complete
                                                 ELAP. On a 5-year cycle, at minimum,                    either the laboratory’s or the assessor’s             an oversight report and forward the
                                                 the DoD EDQW will evaluate whether                      attention to the specific practice in                 completed report through the
                                                 the process for evaluating and                          question.                                             appropriate EDQW component principal
                                                 recognizing ABs is continuing to meet                      (3) Personnel Qualifications. DoD                  to the DoD EDQW chair.
                                                 DoD needs.                                              personnel or contractors performing                      (i) The DoD EDQW chair will provide
                                                    (5) Data and Records Management.                     oversight must:                                       copies of the report to the EDQW
                                                 Through NAVSEASYSCOM, the DoD                              (i) Meet the government chemist or                 component principals for review.
                                                 EDQW, will maintain copies of all                       contractor project chemist requirements                  (ii) After review by the EDQW
                                                 application packages and associated                     contained in the USD(AT&L)                            component principals, the DoD EDQW
                                                 documentation in accordance with                        Memorandum, ‘‘Acquisitions Involving                  chair will provide a summary of the
                                                 Secretary of the Navy Manual                            Environmental Sampling or Testing                     oversight report to the AB performing
                                                 M–5210.1.                                               Services.’’                                           the assessment.
                                                    (d) Performing Government                               (ii) Have a working knowledge of the                  (6) Handling Disputes. Laboratories
                                                 Oversight—(1) General. DoD personnel                    DoD QSM requirements and be familiar                  must follow the AB’s dispute resolution
                                                 will use the procedures in this                         with environmental test methods and                   process for all disputes concerning the
                                                 paragraph to perform and document                       instrumentation.                                      assessment or accreditation of the
                                                 government oversight of the DoD ELAP.                      (iii) Obey all laboratory instructions             laboratory, including disagreements
                                                 Government oversight will include                       regarding health and safety precautions               involving an interpretation of the DoD
                                                 monitoring the performance of AB                        while in the laboratory.                              QSM arising during the accreditation
                                                 assessors during laboratory assessments,                   (4) Procedures. (i) The DoD EDQW                   process.
                                                 reviewing laboratory assessment reports,                will maintain an up-to-date calendar of                  (i) In the event the laboratory and the
                                                 observing ILAC MRA peer evaluations,                    scheduled assessments and peer                        AB are unable to resolve a disagreement
                                                 and evaluating AB Web sites for content                 evaluations based on input from the                   concerning the interpretation of the DoD
                                                 on accredited laboratories.                             ABs, peer evaluators, and assigned                    QSM, either the laboratory or the AB
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                                                    (2) Limitations. (i) DoD personnel                   oversight personnel.                                  may request the DoD EDQW provide an
                                                 performing oversight must observe, but                     (ii) Once an assessment or peer review             interpretation of the DoD QSM. The
                                                 must not participate in, laboratory                     has been scheduled, the EDQW                          DoD EDQW chair will provide a written
                                                 assessments or ILAC MRA peer                            component principals will determine if                response to the laboratory and the AB
                                                 evaluations. Specifically, DoD personnel                DoD oversight of the activity will be                 providing the DoD authoritative
                                                 must not:                                               performed. The goal will be to observe                interpretation of the DoD QSM. No
                                                    (A) Offer specific advice to the                     a representative number of activities for             review of this interpretation will be
                                                 laboratory regarding the development or                 each AB.                                              available to the laboratory or the AB.


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                                                 62002                 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 199 / Thursday, October 15, 2015 / Proposed Rules

                                                    (ii) The DoD EDQW will not consider                    (3) Personnel Qualifications. DoD                     (B) Assign responsibilities for
                                                 or take a position on requests by either                personnel and contractors assessing                   individual members of the assessment
                                                 a laboratory or an AB on a dispute                      laboratories for the purpose of                       team, if appropriate.
                                                 concerning accreditation of the                         performing project-specific laboratory                  (C) Coordinate the document reviews.
                                                 laboratory.                                             approvals must meet the government                      (D) Lead the assessment team in the
                                                    (7) Continual Improvement. The DoD                   chemist or contractor project chemist                 performance of the on-site assessment, if
                                                 EDQW will:                                              requirements contained in USD(AT&L)                   required.
                                                    (i) Review the ABs’ assessment                       Memorandum, ‘‘Acquisitions Involving                    (E) Provide a report to the DoD EDQW
                                                 reports and the DoD oversight reports to                Environmental Sampling or Testing                     chair. The report will identify whether:
                                                 evaluate the thoroughness, consistency,                 Services.’’ Personnel must have a                       (1) The laboratory is capable of
                                                 objectivity, and impartiality of the DoD                working knowledge of the DoD QSM                      meeting all project-specific
                                                 ELAP assessments.                                       requirements and be familiar with                     requirements.
                                                    (ii) Compare assessment reports                      required environmental test methods                     (2) Documentation procedures are in
                                                 across laboratories, ABs, and assessors.                and instrumentation.                                  place to provide data that are
                                                    (iii) Compare DoD ELAP findings to                     (4) Procedures. (i) If a project-specific           scientifically valid, defensible, and
                                                 findings from previous assessments.                     laboratory approval is requested, the                 reproducible.
                                                                                                                                                                 (3) Any deficiencies must be corrected
                                                    (iv) Identify opportunities for                      DoD EDQW will request and review a
                                                                                                                                                               prior to granting the project-specific
                                                 continual improvement of the DoD                        copy of the project’s quality assurance
                                                                                                                                                               laboratory approval.
                                                 ELAP.                                                   project plan (QAPP).
                                                                                                                                                                 (vii) The DoD EDQW chair, with
                                                    (v) Meet with ABs on an annual basis                   (ii) If, after review of the QAPP, the              concurrence by the EDQW component
                                                 to review lessons learned and identify                  DoD EDQW determines that an existing                  principals, will issue a report to the
                                                 additional opportunities for continual                  DoD ELAP-accredited laboratory is                     project manager and laboratory detailing
                                                 improvement of the DoD ELAP.                            available to provide the required                     the results of the assessment and any
                                                    (8) Data and Records Management.                     services, the laboratory contact                      deficiencies that must be corrected prior
                                                 Through NAVSEASYSCOM, the DoD                           information will be provided to the                   to granting a project-specific laboratory
                                                 EDQW will maintain copies of all                        project manager requesting assistance.                approval.
                                                 oversight reports in accordance with                      (iii) If, after review of the QAPP, the               (viii) Upon receipt of the laboratory’s
                                                 Secretary of the Navy Manual M–                         DoD EDQW determines that no existing                  corrective action response, if required,
                                                 5210.1.                                                 DoD ELAP-accredited laboratory is                     the assessment team will:
                                                    (e) Conducting Project-Specific                      available to provide the required                       (A) Review the laboratory’s corrective
                                                 Laboratory Approvals. (1) General. The                  services, the DoD EDQW will:                          action response for resolving the
                                                 DoD EDQW will use the procedures in                       (A) Work with the project team to                   deficiencies.
                                                 this paragraph to conduct project-                      determine whether the use of alternative                (B) Provide the EDQW component
                                                 specific laboratory approvals for specific              procedures by an existing DoD ELAP-                   principals with a final report describing
                                                 tests in the rare instances when DoD is                 accredited laboratory is feasible;                    the resolution of findings and
                                                 unable to identify a DoD ELAP-                            (B) Determine if the required services              containing recommendations on
                                                 accredited laboratory capable of                        can be added to the scope of                          whether to grant the project-specific
                                                 providing the required services. This                   accreditation of an existing DoD ELAP-                laboratory approval.
                                                 will ensure that competent laboratories                 accredited laboratory; or                               (ix) The DoD EDQW chair, with
                                                 are used to support DoD environmental                     (C) Work with the project team to                   concurrence by the EDQW component
                                                 projects. Examples of these rare                        identify a candidate laboratory for                   principals, will prepare a report for the
                                                 instances include:                                      project-specific laboratory approval.                 DoD project manager describing the
                                                    (i) The required method, matrix, or                                                                        results of the assessment and the status
                                                                                                           (iv) If a project-specific approval is
                                                 analyte is not included in the scope of                                                                       and terms of the project-specific
                                                                                                         needed, the DoD EDQW will:
                                                 accreditation for any existing DoD                                                                            laboratory approval. Information about
                                                 ELAP-accredited laboratories.                             (A) Determine the type of assessment
                                                                                                                                                               project-specific laboratory approvals
                                                    (ii) The required method, matrix, and                required (on-site, document review,
                                                                                                                                                               will not be posted on Web sites listing
                                                 analyte combination is included in the                  etc.).
                                                                                                                                                               DoD ELAP-accredited laboratories.
                                                 scope of accreditation for an existing                    (B) Determine if additional funding is                (5) Continual Improvement. The
                                                 accredited laboratory; however, the                     required to support the assessment. If                EDQW component principals will
                                                 laboratory is unable to meet one or more                additional funding is required, the DoD               review project-specific laboratory
                                                 of the project-specific measurement                     EDQW will provide a cost estimate and                 assessment reports to evaluate the
                                                 performance criteria.                                   work with the project manager to                      thoroughness, consistency, objectivity,
                                                    (2) Limitations. (i) Project-specific                establish funding.                                    and impartiality of project-specific
                                                 laboratory approvals are not to be used                   (v) If the DoD EDQW determines that                 assessments and make
                                                 as substitutes for the required DoD                     a project-specific laboratory approval is             recommendations for continual
                                                 ELAP-accreditation.                                     warranted and resources (including                    improvement of the DoD QSM and the
                                                    (ii) The DoD EDQW will not perform                   funding and technical expertise) are                  DoD ELAP.
                                                 project-specific laboratory approvals in                available to support the assessment, the                (6) Data and Records Management.
                                                 cases where one or more DoD ELAP-                       DoD EDQW chair will coordinate with                   Through NAVSEASYSCOM, the DoD
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                                                 accredited laboratories capable of                      the EDQW component principals to                      EDQW will maintain copies of all
                                                 meeting project-specific requirements                   appoint an assessment team with                       laboratory records and project-specific
                                                 are available.                                          appropriate technical backgrounds.                    assessment reports in accordance with
                                                    (iii) The project-specific laboratory                  (vi) The DoD EDQW chair will                        Secretary of the Navy Manual M–
                                                 approval is a one-time approval, the                    designate an assessment team leader.                  5210.1.
                                                 specific terms of which will be outlined                The assessment team leader will:                        (f) Handling Complaints—(1) General.
                                                 in the approval notice issued by the                      (A) Request the documentation                       The DoD EDQW will use the procedures
                                                 DoD EDQW.                                               needed to perform the assessment.                     in this paragraph to handle complaints


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                                                                       Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 199 / Thursday, October 15, 2015 / Proposed Rules                                          62003

                                                 concerning the processes established in                 the complainant of the referral, but will             ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
                                                 the DoD ELAP or the DoD QSM. The                        take no further action with respect to                AGENCY
                                                 DoD EDQW will document and resolve                      investigation of the compliant. The
                                                 complaints promptly through the                         subject of the complaint will be                      40 CFR Part 52
                                                 appropriate channels, consistently and                  expected to respond to the complainant                [EPA–R06–OAR–2011–0864; FRL–9935–67-
                                                 objectively, and identify and implement                 in accordance with their established                  Region 6]
                                                 any necessary corrective action arising                 procedures and timelines. A copy of the
                                                 from complaints. Complaints generally                   response will be provided to the DoD                  Approval and Promulgation of Air
                                                 fall into one of four categories:                       EDQW.                                                 Quality Implementation Plans; Texas;
                                                    (i) Complaints by any party against an                                                                     Infrastructure and Interstate Transport
                                                 accredited laboratory.                                     (B) If insufficient information has                for the 2008 Lead National Ambient Air
                                                    (ii) Complaints by any party against                 been provided to determine whether the                Quality Standards
                                                 an AB.                                                  complaint has merit, the DoD EDQW
                                                    (iii) Complaints by any party                        will return the complaint to the                      AGENCY:  Environmental Protection
                                                 concerning any assessor acting on behalf                complainant with a request for                        Agency (EPA).
                                                 of the AB.                                              additional supporting documentation.                  ACTION: Proposed rule.
                                                    (iv) Complaints by any party against                    (C) If the complaint appears to have
                                                 the DoD ELAP itself.                                                                                          SUMMARY:   Under the Federal Clean Air
                                                                                                         merit and the parties to the complaint                Act (CAA) the Environmental Protection
                                                    (2) Limitations. The procedures in this
                                                 paragraph:                                              have been unable to resolve it, the DoD               Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a
                                                    (i) Do not address appeals by                        EDQW will investigate the complaint                   State Implementation Plan (SIP)
                                                 laboratories regarding accreditation                    and recommend actions for its                         submission from the State of Texas for
                                                 decisions by ABs. Appeals to decisions                  resolution.                                           the 2008 Lead (Pb) National Ambient
                                                 made by ABs regarding the accreditation                    (D) If available information does not              Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The
                                                 status of any laboratory must be filed                  support the complaint, the DoD EDQW                   submittal addresses how the existing
                                                 directly with the AB in accordance with                 may reject the complaint.                             SIP provides for implementation,
                                                 agreements in place between the                                                                               maintenance, and enforcement of the
                                                                                                            (E) If the complaint alleges
                                                 laboratory and the AB.                                                                                        2008 Pb NAAQS (infrastructure SIP or
                                                    (ii) Are not designed to handle                      inappropriate laboratory practices or
                                                                                                                                                               i-SIP). This i-SIP ensures that the State’s
                                                 allegations of unethical or illegal actions             other misconduct, the DoD EDQW chair                  SIP is adequate to meet the state’s
                                                 as described in paragraph (d)(2)(iii) of                will consult legal counsel to determine               responsibilities under the CAA,
                                                 this section.                                           the recommended course of action.                     including the four CAA requirements
                                                    (iii) Do not address complaints                         (iv) In all cases, the DoD EDQW will               for interstate transport of Pb emissions.
                                                 involving contractual requirements                      notify the complainant and any other                  DATES: Written comments must be
                                                 between a laboratory and its client. All                entity involved in the complaint and                  received on or before November 16,
                                                 contracting issues must be resolved with                explain the response of the EDQW to the               2015.
                                                 the contracting officer.                                complaint.
                                                    (3) Procedures. (i) All complaints                                                                         ADDRESSES:  Submit your comments,
                                                 must be filed in writing to the EDQW                       (4) Continual Improvement. The DoD                 identified by Docket ID Number EPA–
                                                 chair. All complaints must provide the                  EDQW will look into root causes and                   R06–OAR–2011–0864, by one of the
                                                 basis for the complaint (i.e., the specific             trends in complaints to help identify                 following methods:
                                                 process or requirement in the DoD ELAP                  actions that should be taken by the DoD                 • www.regulations.gov. Follow the
                                                 or the DoD QSM that has not been                        EDQW, or any parties involved with                    online instructions.
                                                 satisfied or is believed to need                        DoD ELAP, to prevent recurrence of                      • Email: Tracie Donaldson at
                                                 changing) and supporting                                problems that led to the complaints.                  Donaldson.tracie@epa.gov.
                                                 documentation, including descriptions                      (5) Data and Records Management.                     • Mail or delivery: Mary Stanton,
                                                 of attempts to resolve the complaint by                 Through NAVSEASYSCOM, the DoD                         Chief, Air Grants Section (6PD–S),
                                                 the laboratory or the AB.                                                                                     Environmental Protection Agency, 1445
                                                                                                         EDQW will maintain copies of all
                                                    (ii) Upon receipt of the complaint, the                                                                    Ross Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas
                                                                                                         complaint documentation in accordance
                                                 DoD EDQW chair will assign a unique                                                                           75202–2733. Deliveries are accepted
                                                                                                         with Secretary of the Navy Manual M–                  only between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4
                                                 identifier to the complaint, send a
                                                                                                         5210.1.                                               p.m. weekdays, and not on legal
                                                 notice of acknowledgement to the
                                                 complainant, and forward a copy of the                    Dated: October 7, 2015.                             holidays. Special arrangements should
                                                 complaint to the EDQW component                         Aaron Siegel,                                         be made for deliveries of boxed
                                                 principals.                                             Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison                information.
                                                    (iii) In consultation with the EDQW                  Officer, Department of Defense.                         Instructions: Direct your comments to
                                                 component principals, the DoD EDQW                      [FR Doc. 2015–25999 Filed 10–14–15; 8:45 am]
                                                                                                                                                               Docket ID No. EPA–R06–OAR–2011–
                                                 chair will make a preliminary                                                                                 0864. EPA’s policy is that all comments
                                                                                                         BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
                                                 determination of the validity of the                                                                          received will be included in the public
                                                 complaint. Following preliminary                                                                              docket without change, and may be
                                                 review, the actions available to the DoD                                                                      made available online at
rmajette on DSK7SPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                 EDQW chair include:                                                                                           www.regulations.gov, including any
                                                    (A) If the DoD EDQW chair                                                                                  personal information provided, unless
                                                 determines the complaint should be                                                                            the comment includes information
                                                 handled directly between the                                                                                  claimed to be Confidential Business
                                                 complainant and the subject of the                                                                            Information (CBI) or other information
                                                 complaint, the DoD EDQW will refer the                                                                        whose disclosure is restricted by statute.
                                                 complaint to the laboratory, or AB, as                                                                        Do not submit electronically any
                                                 appropriate. The DoD EDQW will notify                                                                         information that you consider to be CBI


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Document Created: 2018-02-27 08:52:17
Document Modified: 2018-02-27 08:52:17
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionProposed rule.
DatesComments must be received by December 14, 2015.
ContactEdmund Miller, 571-372-6904.
FR Citation80 FR 61997 
RIN Number0790-AJ16
CFR AssociatedEnvironmental Laboratory Accreditation Program and Oversight

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