Notice of Development of Rulemaking

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
Division of Environmental Health
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
64E-1.0015: Laboratory Certification Standards
64E-1.005: Records, Reports, and Contractual Agreements
64E-1.007: Fees and Certification Categories
64E-1.102: Certification Requirements
64E-1.104: On-Site Inspections
64E-1.105: Display of Certificate and Use of Certification
64E-1.106: Proficiency Testing Requirements
64E-1.107: Renewal of Annual Certification
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The standards of The NELAC Institute (TNI Standards) incorporate the revised international standards for the competency of calibration and testing laboratories in ISO 17025. Thus, the updating of environmental testing laboratory certification criteria in Chapter 64E-1, F.A.C., to the most recent TNI Standards enhances the acceptability of reported test data as relevant for clients’ intended uses. The proposed effective date is consistent with the Florida Administrative Procedures Act and the desired implementation schedule of TNI. Other proposed amendments are intended to better protect public health by requiring certified laboratories that detect unsafe levels of chemical and microbiological contaminants in Drinking Water to report those exceedances in a timely manner directly to the State regulatory authority. In addition, amendments to the application and licensing fees required for certification are proposed so that the department can adequately cover the operational expenses of the program as required by statute.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Certification of drinking water and environmental testing laboratories, proficiency testing, reporting, fees and other criteria for laboratories to be certified.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 403.0625(1), 403.863(1), 403.8635(3), 381.00591 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 403.0625(1), 403.0625(2), 403.863(1), 403.863(4), 403.8635(1), 403.8635(3), 381.00591 FS.
A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: (1) Monday, November 2, 2009, 1:00 p.m.; (2) Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 1:00 p.m.; (3) Thursday, November 5, 2009, 10:00 a.m.; (4) Friday, November 6, 2009, 1:00 p.m.
PLACE: (1) Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Twin Towers, 2600 Blair Stone Road, Room 609, Tallahassee, FL; (2) Tampa Bay Water Board Room, 2575 Enterprise Road, Clearwater, FL; (3) A. G. Holley Hospital Auditorium, 1199 West Lantana Road, Lantana, FL; (4) Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Laboratories, Porter Auditorium, 1217 North Pearl Street, Jacksonville, FL
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Stephen A. Arms, Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Laboratories, P. O. Box 210, Jacksonville, FL 32231, (904)791-1502, e-mail: steve_arms@doh.state.fl.us

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE FROM THE CONTACT PERSON LISTED ABOVE.