Question & AnswerQ&A (DENR ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 98-63)
A DENR recognized environmental laboratory is a laboratory authorized to generate environmental data in connection with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) System, environmental monitoring, and research activities in support of the Environmental Management and Protected Areas Sector (EMPAS) of the DENR.
The components covered include: a) Laboratories generating environmental data, b) Analysis activities on environmental samples such as water, air, sediment, and biota, and c) A Certificate of Recognition valid for three years.
The application document must include detailed information such as the name and address of the laboratory, owner and head details, business compliance, tax clearance, scope of recognition, accreditation record, personnel data, laboratory procedures, quality assurance programs, waste management practices, and a duly accomplished application form.
The laboratory must be under the direction and supervision of a licensed chemist, chemical engineer, or professional in allied fields with at least five years experience in laboratory analysis and management.
Minimum staff includes one licensed professional, one laboratory assistant with a baccalaureate degree and 120 hours of training, and one laboratory aide with a high school diploma or vocational training.
The Certificate of Recognition is valid for three (3) years from the date of issuance unless revoked earlier.
Grounds include non-submission or delayed submission of annual reports, refusal of DENR monitoring team admission, deliberate falsification of documents/results, refusal to analyze quality control samples, violation of pollution control/waste management/safety regulations, and misrepresentation in the application.
The procedures include application submission, preliminary assessment by EMB, laboratory inspection by the Laboratory Inspection and Assessment Team, proficiency testing participation, data consolidation and review by the Technical Advisory Group for Laboratory Recognition, issuance of the Certificate by the DENR Secretary, and subsequent monitoring and reassessment.
Responsibilities include analyzing environmental samples for various clients, submitting annual reports, complying with application conditions, paying required fees, avoiding misleading statements regarding recognition, informing DENR of operational changes, and implementing continuing staff training programs.
Failure to meet acceptable concentration levels for specific parameters in three consecutive DENR proficiency tests leads to suspension of recognition for those parameters, effectively reducing the scope of recognition.