Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP) | Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil | US EPA

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The National Lead Laboratory Accreditation

Program (NLLAP)

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page to learn more.

What is NLLAP?

EPA has established the National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP) to recognize

laboratories that demonstrate the ability to accurately analyze paint chip, dust, or soil samples for

lead. A fixed-site laboratory, a mobile laboratory, or a testing firm that operates portable

equipment are all eligible to obtain EPA recognition through the NLLAP. An organization may

choose to be recognized for one, two, or all three of the sample types (paint chips, dust, soil) in

the NLLAP.

When Must Samples Be Analyzed by a Laboratory Recognized by EPA?

In states and tribal lands where EPA is operating a federal lead program, any dust samples

collected in a risk assessment, lead hazard screen, or clearance after a lead abatement must be

analyzed by a laboratory or testing firm recognized by EPA under the National Lead Laboratory

Accreditation Program (NLLAP).

In states or tribal lands where the state or tribe is operating an EPA authorized program, the same

requirement for analysis of dust samples by an NLLAP recognized laboratory or testing firm is in

place for most states and tribes. However, a state or tribe may have testing regulations that differ

from the EPA requirements, even though the overall program is authorized by EPA. To be sure

what the requirements are, check with the state or tribal program where you want to do sampling.

For information on whether your state or tribe has a EPA federal program or a state/tribal program

authorized by EPA, call the National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD(5323) or access

the most current state and tribal authorization map (PDF) (1 pg, 67K).

It is possible for a city or other local government to have its own additional regulations, so check in

your locality as well for any testing requirements.

How Does NLLAP Work?

NLLAP provides the public with a list of laboratories that have met EPA requirements and

demonstrated the capability to accurately analyze paint chips, dust, or soil samples for lead. All

laboratories recognized by NLLAP are required to undergo on-site audits conducted by accrediting

organizations participating in the NLLAP, and to perform successfully on a continuing basis in the

Environmental Lead Proficiency Analytical Testing (ELPAT) Program. ELPAT is a laboratory

performance proficiency testing program mandated by the American Industrial Hygiene Association

(AIHA).

EPA currently recognizes four organizations as accrediting bodies for the NLLAP that accredit

laboratories for lead (Pb) sample analysis. They are:

American Industrial Hygiene Association Laboratory Accreditation Programs, LLC (AIHA

PAT, LLC)

American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA)

Perry Johnson Laboratory Accreditation, Inc. (PJLA)

ANSI-ASQ National Accreditation Board/ACLASS

To apply for accreditation as a lead sample analysis laboratory under the NLLAP, contact one of

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Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP) | Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil | US EPA

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these four accrediting bodies.

A current list of NLLAP laboratories can be obtained from the monthly NLLAP list (PDF) (10 pp,

148K). See also the associated cover letter. A current list can also be obtained by calling the

National Lead Information Center at 1-800-424-LEAD (5323).

Laboratories and other testing firms on the NLLAP list follow the Laboratory Quality System

Requirements (LQSR), version 3 (PDF) (57 pp, 211K) developed by EPA. The LQSR identifies the

minimum requirements for use by accreditation organizations when evaluating laboratories

performing environmental testing activities under NLLAP. It is based on requirements of the

International Organization for Standardization and International Electrochemical Commission

(ISO/IEC) Standard 17025:2005(E), "General requirements for the competence of testing and

calibration laboratories."

Other organizations, including states, may apply to EPA to enter into a Memorandum of

Understanding with EPA to become accrediting organizations in the NLLAP. EPA has developed a

Model Memorandum of Understanding (PDF) (7 pp, 70K) for other potential NLLAP accrediting

organizations.

What Other Information is Available on the NLLAP?

Other reports and documents related to the NLLAP are listed below. These can be obtained by

following the links below and accessing the documents on-line.

[NLIC # 376] Selecting a Laboratory for Lead Analysis: The EPA National Lead Laboratory

Accreditation Program (PDF) (2 pp, 75K), April 1999 (EPA 747-F-99-002)

[NLIC # 371] Pb-Based Paint Laboratory Operations Guidelines: Analysis of Pb in Paint,

Dust, and Soil, Revision 1.0 (PDF) (82 pp, 461K), May 1993 (EPA 747-R-92-006).

[NLIC # 373] Survey of State Lead Laboratory Accreditation Programs (PDF) (62 pp, 283K),

November 1996 (EPA 747-R-96-010).

[NLIC # 377] Laboratory Accreditation Program Guidelines: Measurement of Lead in Paint,

Dust, and Soil (PDF) (23 pp, 568K), March 1992 (EPA 747-R-92-001)

Pb-Based Paint Laboratory Accreditation: Curricula Recommendations for Assessor Training

Programs, Revision 1.0 (PDF) (122 pp, 569K), May 1993 (EPA 747-R-92-005). [Can be

ordered by contacting the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) at 800-553-NTIS

(6847) and ordering NTIS document number PB2001-105348.]

[NLIC # 369] National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program: Double-Blind Proficiency

Testing Pilot Study (PDF) (138 pp, 1.9MB), March 2001 (EPA 747-R-01-004)