[Federal Register: January 23, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 15)]
[Notices]
[Page 3967-3968]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23ja08-44]
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
[EPA-HQ-OPPT-2005-0044; FRL-8098-9]
National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP); Notice of
Availability of Revisions to the NLLAP; Notice of Availability
AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability of the revised EPA
National Lead Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP) in the document
titled ``Laboratory Quality System Requirements (LQSR) Revision 3.0''
dated July 5, 2007. Revisions to the LQSR include the expansion of
NLLAP to cover: (1) Lead laboratory analysis programs that conduct lead
analysis for the field (Field Sampling and Measurement Organizations),
and (2) revised training requirements for laboratory personnel. The
Agency will phase-in LQSR 3.0 over the next 18 months.
DATES: LQSR 3.0 will become effective July 23, 2009. In order to be
recognized by the NLLAP, laboratories and accreditation organizations
that currently administer the NLLAP may comply with the requirements of
the LQSR 2.0 dated August 1, 1996, or LQSR 3.0 dated July 5, 2007.
After, July 23, 2009 all NLLAP recognized organizations must implement
and comply with the requirements of LQSR 3.0.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information contact: Colby
Lintner, Regulatory Coordinator, Environmental Assistance Division
(7408M), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics, Environmental
Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington, DC 20460-
0001; telephone number: (202) 554-1404; e-mail address:
TSCA-Hotline@epa.gov.
For technical information contact: Benjamin Lim, National Program
Chemicals Division (7404T), Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics,
Environmental Protection Agency, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW.,
Washington, DC 20460-0001; telephone number: (202) 566-0482; e-mail
address: Lim.Benjamin@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. General Information
A. Does this Action Apply to Me?
You might potentially be affected by this action if you are or may
be required to follow the Agency's regulations regarding testing for
lead. Specifically, entities potentially affected by these revisions
are Fixed-Site, Mobile, and Field Sampling and Measurement
Organizations (FSMOs) that perform lead testing. Analytical testing
laboratories currently recognized by the NLLAP, and accreditation
organizations that currently administer the NLLAP (i.e., the American
Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and the American Association for
Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA)) or other organizations that might seek
a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Agency to become an
accreditation organization could be affected by today's revisions. In
addition, certified inspectors, certified risk assessors, developers,
manufacturers, distributors of equipment and supplies used by FSMOs
testing lead might also be affected by these revisions; and EPA-
authorized state and tribal lead-based paint training and certification
programs may also be affected by these revisions.
Other entities potentially affected by changes to the NLLAP for
lead testing are the owners and managers of target housing and child-
occupied facilities, as well as realtors, lessees, and residents, who
ultimately pay for the testing services and stand to benefit by
obtaining lead test results quicker.
Since other entities may also be interested, the Agency has not
attempted to describe all of the specific entities that may be affected
by this notice. If you have any questions regarding the applicability
of this notice to a particular entity, consult the technical person
listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
B. How Can I Get Copies of this Document and Other Related Information?
1. Docket. Materials cited in this notice are available in docket
number EPA-HQ-OPPT-2005-0044. All documents in the docket are listed in
the regulations.gov index. To access the electronic docket, go to
[[Page 3968]]
http://www.regulations.gov, select ``Advanced Search,'' then ``Docket
Search.'' Insert the docket ID number where indicated and select the
``Submit'' button. Follow the instructions on the regulations.gov
website to view the docket index or access available documents.
Although listed in the index, some information is not publicly
available, e.g., Confidential Business Information (CBI) or other
information whose disclosure is restricted by statute. Certain other
material, such as copyrighted material, will be publicly available only
in hard copy. Publicly available docket materials are available
electronically at http://www.regulations.gov, or, if only available in
hard copy, at the OPPT Docket. The OPPT Docket is located in the EPA
Docket Center (EPA/DC) at Rm. 3334, EPA West Bldg., 1301 Constitution
Ave., NW., Washington, DC. The EPA/DC Public Reading Room hours of
operation are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding
Federal holidays. The telephone number of the EPA/DC Public Reading
Room is (202) 566-1744, and the telephone number for the OPPT Docket is
(202) 566-0280. Docket visitors are required to show photographic
identification, pass through a metal detector, and sign the EPA visitor
log. All visitor bags are processed through an X-ray machine and
subject to search. Visitors will be provided an EPA/DC badge that must
be visible at all times in the building and returned upon departure.
2. Electronic access. You may access this Federal Register document
electronically through the EPA Internet under the ``Federal Register''
listings at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/. You may also access this
document at the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics Lead Home
Page at http://www.epa.gov/lead/new.htm.
II. Background
Under the Congressional mandate stated in section 405(b) of Title
X, The Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act of 1992, EPA
has established the NLLAP. The program has been established by EPA in
order to assure the public that analytical laboratories recognized by
the EPA NLLAP have demonstrated they are capable of analyzing for lead
in paint chip, dust, and/or soil samples. A list of EPA recognized lead
laboratories is updated on a periodic basis and is available from the
National Lead Information Center Clearinghouse upon request (1-800-424-
LEAD) or at the Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics Lead Home
Page at http://www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/nllap.htm.
The Agency is announcing changes to NLLAP to encourage the
recognition of all lead testing service providers (e.g., FSMOs) and to
bring the NLLAP into compliance with current consensus standards (e.g.,
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), American National
Standards Institute (ANSI), and International Organization for
Standardization (ISO)). This may, in turn, increase lead testing
options, reduce costs, and save time for those who purchase analytical
services related to lead hazard identification and control.
III. What Action is the Agency Taking?
The Agency made these revisions to the NLLAP to provide a vehicle
and remove barriers so that all types of lead testing service providers
could participate in the NLLAP. These changes also provide the tools
for smaller lead testing organizations to obtain NLLAP recognition.
Also these revisions are making the NLLAP more efficient and cost-
effective while maintaining the high standard of quality, science and
technology necessary to ensure public health protection in supporting
EPA and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) lead
regulations.
List of Subjects
Environmental protection, Lead testing accreditation, National Lead
Laboratory Accreditation Program (NLLAP), Laboratory Quality System
Requirements (LQSR).
Dated: January 16, 2008.
James B. Gulliford,
Assistant Administrator, Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic
Substances.
[FR Doc. E8-1110 Filed 1-22-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-S