Z-355                 _______________________________________________

                                                    HOUSE BILL NO. 644

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Representatives Rust, Allen, May, Hine, Unsoeld, Valle and Rasmussen; by request of Puget Sound Water Quality Authority

Read first time 2/4/87 and referred to Committee on Environmental Affairs.

AN ACT Relating to laboratory certification by the department of ecology; and adding a new section to chapter 43.21A RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 43.21A RCW to read as follows:

          The director of ecology may certify laboratories which conduct tests or prepare data for submittal to the department.  Fees for certification may be charged by the department to cover the department's costs.  Such certification may consider:

          (1) Evaluating protocols and procedures;

          (2) Determining the accuracy and reliability of test results, including internal quality assurance and quality control procedures and proficiency at analyzing test samples supplied by the department;

          (3)  Certifying laboratories based on prior certification by another state whose certification requirements are deemed satisfactory by the director; and

          (4) Such other factors as the director considers appropriate.

          The director of ecology may require that any person submitting laboratory data or test results to the department use laboratories certified by the department.