Section 149.27. Proficiency testing sample acceptance limits and grading.

 

(1)   Acceptance limits. A laboratory's result for any analyte or analyte group is considered unacceptable if it meets any of the following conditions:

(a) The result falls outside the acceptance limits.

(b) The laboratory reports a result for an analyte not present in the proficiency testing sample.

(c) The laboratory does not report a result for an analyte present in the proficiency testing sample.

(d) The laboratory fails to submit its results to the proficiency testing sample provider on or before the deadline for the proficiency testing study.

(2)   Grading.

(a) Proficiency testing samples for analytes in aqueous and solid matrices shall be graded in accordance with acceptance limits established by the department considering criteria developed by EPA.

(b) For required proficiency testing sample analytes in aqueous and solid matrices for which EPA has not developed acceptance limits, the department may develop acceptance limits based on its experience or information supplied by approved providers.

(c) When an insufficient number of laboratories participate in a study to generate peer-based acceptance limits in a proficiency testing sample with analytes for which EPA has not established acceptance limits, the department may grade results using fixed acceptance limits.

(d) Proficiency testing sample analytes in drinking water shall be graded in accordance with the acceptance limits established in 40 CFR 141.23 (k)(3)(ii), 40 CFR 141.24 (f)(17)(i)(C) and (D), 40 CFR 141.24 (f)(17)(ii)(B), 40 CFR 141.24 (f)(19)(i)(A) and (B) and 40 CFR 141.89 (a)(1)(ii), or developed by EPA.

(e) Where certification or registration in an analyte group is based on passing a representative proficiency testing sample containing more than one analyte, the laboratory shall report acceptable results on at least 80% of the analytes to achieve acceptable results for that sample.

(f) The department shall establish procedures for evaluating false positives and false negatives reported in analyzed proficiency testing samples.

History: CR 06-005 : cr. Register April 2008 No. 628 , eff. 9-1-08.