Rule 3745-89-10 | Interim authorization for new contaminants and new methods.
The director may grant interim authorization, as defined in rule 3745-89-01 of the Administrative Code, for certified laboratories to perform drinking water analyses by using new methods, for new analytes, or both, during a transition period necessary for implementation of new or amended regulations. Such authorization shall follow the following procedures:
(A) The director shall notify certified laboratories of the availability of interim authorization and the drinking water analyses to be included.
(B) Interim authorization shall only be available to laboratories which currently have valid certification under this chapter for the same type of drinking water analysis (microbiological contaminants, inorganic, trace metals, etc.) as the drinking water analyses to be included in the interim authorization.
(C) In order to be considered for interim authorization, the laboratory shall submit to the director an application for interim authorization, on a form provided by the director. The application shall include the following information:
(1) The name, address and telephone number of the laboratory and of the individuals responsible for the laboratory.
(2) Statement of the drinking water analyses and methods for which interim authorization is sought and the analysts to be included in the interim authorization to perform the analyses. The analysts shall be individuals already identified on a valid certificate of approval for the laboratory for performing similar analyses or for analyzing the same type of analyte.
(3) Documentation that the laboratory obtained acceptable results within the past twelve months for at least one proficiency test provided by a proficiency test provider for each drinking water analysis to be included in the interim authorization.
(4) Documentation that method detection limit (MDL) studies have been completed by the laboratory for each drinking water chemistry analysis to be included in the interim authorization, with the MDL studies indicating that the laboratory is capable of meeting any specified analytical reporting requirements.
(5) Documentation that the laboratory has successfully passed one microbiological proficiency test set from a "National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP)" approved proficiency test supplier with the method not approved by the Ohio environmental protection agency. The test data shall be sent directly to the state proficiency test coordinator from the proficiency test provider. The laboratory shall pass the proficiency test study with the method for which interim authorization is being sought.
(D) When granted, interim authorization shall state the individuals and drinking water analyses included in the interim authorization and the length of time that the interim authorization will remain in effect.
(E) An on-site survey shall be scheduled to verify acceptable performance by the laboratory granted interim authorization. Interim authorization shall remain in effect for the length of time specified by the director or until the on-site survey is completed and certification is granted under rule 3745-89-06 of the Administrative Code, whichever occurs first.
Supplemental Information