30615642, 62-160.110 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 30615642

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Chapter:

QUALITY ASSURANCE

Overview

RULE:

62-160.110	Purpose, Scope and Applicability
62-160.120	Definitions and Standards
62-160.210	Approved Field Procedures
62-160.220	Approval of Alternative and Modified Field Procedures
62-160.240	Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements for Field Procedures
62-160.300	Laboratory Certification
62-160.320	Approved Laboratory Methods
62-160.330	Approval of Alternative and Modified Laboratory Methods
62-160.340	Record Keeping and Reporting Requirements for Laboratory Procedures
62-160.400	Sample Preservation and Holding Times
62-160.600	Research Field and Laboratory Procedures
62-160.650	Field and Laboratory Audits
62-160.670	Data Validation by the Department
62-160.700	Tables
62-160.800	Documents Incorporated by Reference

PURPOSE:

The Department is revising certain quality assurance requirements in Chapter 62-160, F.A.C. The proposed revisions: (1) update the field and laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), (2) address miscellaneous, minor revisions to various rules within the Chapter, and (3) generally provide for clarification and increased options for monitoring. Some of the proposed revisions for this Chapter are in response to the Department’s 2025 review of rules pursuant to Section 120.5435, Florida Statutes.

SUMMARY:

The Department is revising Chapter 62-160, F.A.C., to: 1) update and revise definitions to be consistent with the use of terms throughout the Chapter, 2) expand procedures for continuous monitoring with field meters, 3) provide instructions for collection of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances samples, 4) provide additional options for field measurement of chlorine, transparency, and turbidity, 5) modify sampling proficiency requirements for bioassessment methods, 6) clarify conditions for use of field methods other than DEP SOPs or those required in Department rules, permits, contracts or orders, 7) add an option for alternative and modified field procedures to be used in place of a laboratory procedure, 8) add documentation requirements for field and laboratory activities, 9) add language to specify measures taken by the Department for failure of an audited body to provide applicable records to conduct field and laboratory audits, 10) clarify various data qualifier codes based on stakeholder input, 11) update several incorporated documents applicable to current revisions and referenced throughout this Chapter, and 12) make several updates to rule references and dates throughout this Chapter.
Other Rules Incorporating this Rule: 
40E-61.200, 40E-61.250, 40E-61.280, 40E-63.102, 62-110.104, 62-302.300, 62-302.540, 62-303.200, 62-303.320, 62-303.330, 62-303.350, 62-303.420, 62-303.430, 62-303.460, 62-303.470, 62-307.200, 62-307.300, 62-330.411, 62-330.412, 62-344.400, 62-344.500, 62-4.020, 62-4.246, 62-520.600, 62-528.300, 62-550.550, 62-550.821, 62-555.315, 62-555.340, 62-555.350, 62-565.200, 62-565.500, 62-565.540, 62-565.655, 62-600.200, 62-610.320, 62-610.463, 62-610.472, 62-610.525, 62-610.568, 62-610.652, 62-610.865, 62-620.610, 62-620.620, 62-625.420, 62-625.600, 62-640.650, 62-673.320, 62-673.340, 62-701.200, 62-701.310, 62-701.330, 62-701.510, 62-709.530, 62-713.510, 62-737.200, 62-737.800, 62-780.220, 62-780.300, 62-780.600, 62-780.900.
Effects on Those Other Rules:
Other rules that incorporate Chapter 62-160, F.A.C., direct programs to adhere to quality assurance requirements, protocols for alternative method applications, and standard operating procedures within Chapter 62-160, F.A.C. Proposed revisions to Chapter 62-160, F.A.C., ensure optimal quality assurance within those other programs. Amendments to Chapter 62-160, F.A.C., in this Notice of Proposed Rule are not expected to have any significant impact on the other rules.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

403.061, 403.0623, 403.0625, FS.

LAW:

373.026, 373.309, 373.409, 373.413, 373.414, 373.416, 373.4592, 376.303, 376.305, 376.3071, 403.0623, 403.0625, 403.087, 403.088, 403.0881, 403.504, 403.704, 403.707, 403.722, 403.803, 403.853, 403.863, FS.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

3/11/2026 Vol. 52/48

COMMENTS:

From 3/11/2026 To 4/1/2026 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

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