On April 22, 2008, EPA published the Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) rule, which established performance recognition criteria for lead test kits for use as an option to determine if regulated lead-based paint is not present in target housing and child-occupied facilities. EPA plans to hold a meeting for interested stakeholders and the public on Thursday, June 4, 2015. At the meeting, EPA is seeking information related to: The existing market for lead test kits as referenced in the 2008 RRP rule; the development or modification of lead test kit(s) that may meet EPA’s positive-response criterion (in addition to the negative-response criterion); and other alternatives for lead-based paint field testing. (5/14/15; 80 FR 27621) http://1.usa.gov/1e9IYuR

After a year-long effort involving interviews, webinars, and a special meeting in 2014, TNI has issued a report, Exploring the Future of National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation, that describes the current status of the national program, identifies barriers to future growth and offers strategies that TNI plans to pursue.

http://nelac-institute.org/docs/news/TNI-Exploring-the-Future-Report-April-2015.pdf

The 2015 Environmental Measurement Symposium, which is the combined meeting of the Forum on Laboratory Accreditation and the National Environmental Monitoring Conference (NEMC), is co-sponsored by The NELAC Institute (TNI) under a cooperative agreement with the EPA. Some of the highlights for the week include: a special half-day general session focused on the conference theme; over 160 oral and poster presentations on a variety of cutting-edge environmental monitoring issues; meetings of TNI Committees to further TNI efforts on environmental laboratory accreditation, proficiency testing, and accreditation of field sampling and measurement organizations; an exhibit program showcasing the latest innovations in environmental monitoring; five special keynote presentations on topics of general interest; and an open meeting of EPA’s Environmental Laboratory Advisory Board. http://www.nemc.us/