Notice of Revision: Guidance for Monitoring of Mercury in Metal Mining Effluent for Environmental Effects Monitoring Requirements under the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations - Please download the full notice.

Notice to ILAC Full Members regarding the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) plan for implementation of the "Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008" - On September 4, 2008, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) presented its plan for implementation of the “Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008” The new act sets very ambitious deadlines for enactment of these testing requirements. ILAC therefore foresees a large demand for testing from the toy and children’s products industries in the upcoming months. Please download the full ILAC notice.

CALA has expanded it's accreditation program for laboratories seeking to perform testing under the
recently enacted U.S. regulation H.R. 4040 “Consumer Product Safety
Improvement Act of 2008” (CPSIA). For more information, please see page 2 of our November 2008 Quarterly CALA Newsletter.

PCB Regulation - A PCB regulation under the Canadian Environment Protection Act, 1999 has been published in the Canada Gazette. The regulation requires PCB analysis to be conducted by laboratories accredited by an accreditation body “that is a signatory to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Arrangement”.

HTML: http://gazetteducanada.gc.ca/partII/2008/20080917/html/sor273-e.html
PDF: http://gazetteducanada.gc.ca/partII/2008/20080917/pdf/g2-14219.pdf

Programme Officer –UNFCCC.  APLAC members have been requested to assist in advertising the position of Programme Officer for the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

For more information on this posting, you may download the vacancy announcment below or visit the UNFCCC employment page.

Programme Officer Vacancy Announcement (.pdf)

National Report on Wastewater Consultations – July 2008 The final version of the National Report on Wastewater Consultations – July 2008 has now been posted on Environment Canada’s Wastewater Website.

The report is a summary of the input from 26 sessions we held across the country and from written submissions provided between November 2007 and January 2008.  The report covers input from "three streams" of interested parties: Aboriginal peoples and their organizations; municipalities and organizations; and, federal departments and agencies.  This report does not attempt to include all specific comments, but aims to reflect the range of comments, concerns, and regional perspectives, and areas of agreement as well as divergence.  In some cases, single comments are included, where these comments introduce a new thought or perspective on an issue.  The report does not attribute comments to individuals or organizations.

An excerpt of the report (title page, executive summary and table of contents) is included here for your convenience.  Should you wish to access the full report, the following are internet links on Environment Canada’s Wastewater Website where the English and French versions can be found.

English Excerpt (.pdf)
French Excerpt (.pdf)

English: http://www.ec.gc.ca/wastewater  
French: http://www.ec.gc.ca/eaux-usees  

As progress is made on developing the proposed regulations, Environment Canada will continue considering comments from stakeholders and interested parties.  With regard to addressing the interests of Aboriginal Peoples, input received through this recent Aboriginal consultation process, along with the recommendations received through the formal evaluation of the process will be considered in developing a path forward.  Pre-publication of regulations in Canada Gazette, Part I will offer an opportunity for additional comment and input from stakeholders and interested parties before regulations are finalized in Canada Gazette, Part II.

New Accreditation Agreement for Ontario Drinking Water The current MOE/SCC/CAEAL Agreement for the Accreditation of Drinking-Water Testing Laboratories expires on July 31, 2008.  The recently signed MOE/CAEAL Agreement for the Accreditation of Drinking-Water Testing Laboratories comes into effect on August 01, 2008.  This means that laboratories performing drinking-water testing in Ontario now have the option of choosing an accrediting body, to meet the requirements for accreditation prior to a license application. More information.

CAEAL Celebrates International Accreditation Day - June 9th 2008 has been designated as the first International Accreditation Day by the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) and the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC). Please see our official press release.

Bill C-54 Information Session- The Government of Canada has tabled legislation in Parliament to regulate all Canadian laboratories working with human pathogens and toxins, whether imported or domestically acquired.  Download one of the following invitations for details on the special information session on the government’s proposed laboratory biosafety legislation during the [Saskatoon] symposium.

Information Session Invitation (English | French)

Join the Ontario Ministry of the Environment for four upcoming webcasts on May 27th and 28th. The webcasts are entitled Lead and Drinking Water for Day Nurseries Operators and Lead and Drinking Water for Provincially-Funded Schools . They are presented as part of our continuing effort to communicate with laboratories by providing up-to-date information on relevant issues pertaining to the regulated community as it is often the laboratory that receives the follow-up questions and feed back from these initiatives.  For more information, download one of the following flyers (.pdf format).

Day Nurseries (English | French)
Schools (English | French)

Lead in Drinking Water The Ontario Ministry of the Environment has added a number of new products on lead and drinking water to its Drinking Water Ontario website at www.ontario.ca/drinkingwater

Notice of a Eurachem:CITAC:Eurolab symposium on Sampling uncertainty and
Uncertainty for compliance assessment, which will take place at BAM, Berlin
on 15 & 16 April 2008. For more information, please see www.eurolab.org.

The Organismo Argentino Acreditacion is organizing a Proficiency Testing (PT) round “INTI - OAA - IAAC T002 Centesimal Composition of Meat Proficiency Testing Program 2008.” . Each Accreditation Body member of APLAC and SADCA is invited to nominate 1 (one) laboratory, so the nomination will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. If your laboratory would like to participate, please contact Colleen Cotter (ccotter@cala.ca). Please see the Invitation for more details. Note: Methods that should be used for the analysis of the centesimal meat composition of "INTI-OAA-IAAC T002 2008" are: Moisture in meat AOAC 950.46 B, Fat (crude) or ether extract in meat AOAC 31.1.05, Ash of meat AOAC 39.1.01 and Nitrogen in meat AOAC 39.1.15.

Canada-wide strategy for managing municipal wastewater effluent Comments requested on both Environment Canada’s proposed regulatory framework for wastewater as it relates to implementing the CCME Strategy and the CCME Strategy itself. Click here for more information.

The 2007 CAEAL Scholarship for Quality Excellence for Eastern Canada has been awarded to Jordana Van Geest of the University of Guelph. The award recognizes the individual’s contribution to the “data quality aspects of environmental measurement, covering a variety of matrices”. The membership will be notified in an upcoming newsletter. Click here for more information.

Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water: Guideline Technical Document on Chlorine in Drinking Water for public comment - Health Canada, as secretariat to the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Committee on Drinking Water is posting the Guideline Technical Document on Chlorine in Drinking Water for a two month consultation process. This is a new technical document which does not propose a guideline for chlorine in drinking water. The document focuses on the health effects related to exposure to chlorine in drinking water supplies. It does not review the benefits or the processes of chlorination, nor does it assess the health risks related to exposure to by-products formed as a result of the chlorination process. Comments should be forwarded by email to water_eau@hc-sc.gc.ca before December 18, 2007

CAEAL welcomes Daniel Chaput and Chris Pharo to the CAEAL Accreditation Council. Please download the .pdf announcement for more information.

The China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment is organizing a Proficiency Testing (PT) round for Prawn Nitrofuran Metabolites (APLAC Study T050). Generally four (4) laboratories from each economy are invited to participate in APLAC PT studies, so nominations will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. If your laboratory would like to participate, please contact Colleen Cotter (ccotter@cala.ca). Please see the Program Document and Invitation for more details.

The China National Accreditation Service for Conformity Assessment is organizing a Proficiency Testing (PT) round for Pesticide Residues in Rice (APLAC Study T056). Generally four (4) laboratories from each economy are invited to participate in APLAC PT studies, so nominations will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. If your laboratory would like to participate, please contact Colleen Cotter (ccotter@cala.ca). Please see the Program Document and Invitation for more details.

ILAC Celebrates 30 years.  For more information, please download the following media release.

New CAEAL Scholarship for Quality Excellence: awarded annually to 2 students; one representing Eastern Canada, and one representing Western Canada. "Expression of Interest" must be received
at the CAEAL Office by June 15, 2007 (email Charlette Mallette - cmallette@cala.ca)

For more information, please download our information sheet.

Proficiency Testing Australia (PTA) routinely conducts a suite of proficiency testing programs for Australian national and international based laboratories.  For your information, download the program schedule from mid 2007 (.pdf format). PTA welcome all laboratories from any economy to participate in the listed programs. You are encouraged to provide this information to your accredited laboratories. If you would like to receive further details on any listed program then please contact PTA: ptaenquiry@pta.asn.au

Technical Update: Equivalent Method Option for Analytical Testing of Browfield Samples.  Please be advised that the following technical update is now posted on the Ministry of the Environment website:

Equivalent Method Option for Analytical Testing of Brownfield Samples Regulated Under the Record of Site Condition - Part XV.1, Ontario Regulation 153/04 (January 2007)

Website links:
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/land/decomm/condition.htm
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/gp/6044e.htm
http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envision/gp/6044e.pdf

EBR Posting - Ontario Ministry of the Environment Protocol of Accepted Drinking-Water Tesing Methods Please be advised that the revised version of the Protocol of Accepted Drinking-Water Testing Methods is now posted on EBR (EBR Registry Number PA06E0014) for a 60-day comment period. http://www.ene.gov.on.ca/envregistry/026386ep.htm

Proposed Canadian Regulation for PCB Sections, 8, 38 and 49 may be of specific interest to analytical laboratories. Please note the notice on page 3549 and where comments on the proposed regulations may be sent. Download document.

CAEAL to host 2009 ILAC/IAF Annual Meetings in Vancouver

At the ILAC/IAF 2007 Joint General Assembly held in Cancun, Mexico (http://www.ilaciaf2006.com/) November 6-14, 2006, ILAC and IAF both passed resolutions adopting Vancouver as the General Assembly site for 2009. The annual ILAC/IAF Joint General Assembly, and related Committee meetings, is a gathering of the bodies from government and specific industries that accredit laboratories, product certification bodies, inspection bodies, and the registrars of quality and environmental management systems.

CAEAL is looking forward to hosting the 2009 ILAC/IAF Annual Meetings in Vancouver. As more information becomes available, we will update our website.

CAEAL would like to thank Tourism Vancouver for its support.

APLAC is now incorporated in New Zealand.  You can download the annoucement and certificate of incorporation in .pdf format.

Implementation Update on New Proficiency Testing Requirements (Correlation Proviso).  CAEAL was evaluated against ISO/IEC 17011 by APLAC in July of 2005. One of the findings related to the fact that CAEAL required laboratories to participate in PT if CAEAL offered it but that there was little evidence that laboratories were expected to seek third party PT for analytes not supported by CAEAL PT. To correct this, CAEAL issued revised PT requirements (Correlation Proviso) that involve a hierarchy of options for PT support.

For more information, please download our Implementation Update document (.pdf)

ILAC has brought the following to our attention: The OECD is inviting the public to comment on proposed new Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Molecular Genetic Testing.

Please refer to the OECD website notice for further information. (http://www.oecd.org/document/30/0,2340,en_2649_201185_36970590_1_1_1_1,00.html)

Korean Research Institute Visits CAEAL, Learns about Laboratory Quality Sixteen members of the National Institute for Environmental Research (NIER) of Korea visited CAEAL from 20 to 27 June in order to learn how to develop laboratory quality systems that conform to ISO/IEC 17025:2005.

To download the article in pdf format click here.

IMEP-21 international PT Study Reports IMEP is pleased to announce that we have finalised the IMEP-21 certification report and the IMEP-21 participants' report (http://www.irmm.jrc.be/html/interlaboratory_comparisons/imep/index.htm).

Amendments to Ontario Regulation 170/03.  A June 2006 memo from Cammy Mack, Supervisor Regulatory Requirements.

CAEAL Site Assessment and Accreditation Program Updates (.pdf)

Criteria and Documentation for RABQSA Certification of CAEAL Assessor:
http://www.rabqsa.com/per_caeal.shtml

A 17025 Success Story An article on the implementation of ISO/IEC 17025 in a clinical setting appears in the January-February 2006 issue of ISO Management Systems magazine http://www.iso.org/ims

To download the article in pdf format click here.

CAEAL Training Offered during EnviroAnalysis 2006 Designed for the clients of laboratories to help them understand the application of uncertainties associated with environmental test results, this course has been successfully delivered to the clients of member laboratories in Alberta and to member laboratories online. As well, training on the changes to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard is now available from CAEAL.

For more information click here.

APLAC News Notes - 84th Edition, published by CAEAL (.pdf).

Measurement Uncertainty Made Easy - 19 April 2006
Organized by INMS/CLAS
Location: Institut de recherche d'Hydro-Québec,  Varennes, Québec

For more information click here.

CNAL Proficiency Testing Programs (2006) - (Chemical Analysis, Mechanical & Physical Testing) (.pdf)

Membership survey of new evaluation procedure and PT report. 

To view the results of the survey, please downlaod the .pdf document.

A joint declaration of the BIPM, OIML and ILAC.  This statement is a reflection of the ongoing close cooperation between ILAC, BIPM and OIML and promotes the use of the three existing Mutual Recognition Arrangements.

For more information, please download the following documents (.pdf): cover letter and details.

Assessor Certifiication RABQSA and the Canadian Association for Environmental Analytical Laboratories (CAEAL) are pleased to announce the establishment of an industry-specific laboratory accreditation assessor scheme aimed at providing recognition to assessors engaged in Canadian laboratory accreditation assessments based on ISO/IEC 17025.  

CAEAL Assessor survey on the benefits of Assessor Certification.  CAEAL sought Assessor feedback on the perceived benefits of Auditor / Assessor Certification.  For more information, please download the complete survey (.pdf).

ECO Canada is seeking individuals whose work is related to the environment, natural resources, and environmental sustainability. Be part of our nationwide study to ensure that your contribution to the environment is being considered by government, employers, academics, and labour market experts.

To complete the survey or to read more about it, visit: http://www.eco.ca

Canadian Lab Accreditor CAEAL to Become a Signatory to the ILAC Arrangement for Testing - The Canadian Association for Environmental Analytical Laboratories (CAEAL) today, as a result of international recognition granted by the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (APLAC), was declared eligible for Full ILAC Membership and invited to sign the multi-lateral, mutual recognition arrangement (the “ILAC Arrangement”). The effective date of joining the ILAC Arrangement will be November 17, 2005.

For more information, please download our release (.pdf).

Canadian Lab Accreditor CAEAL Receives APLAC Recognition - The Canadian Association for Environmental Analytical Laboratories (CAEAL) today signed an international agreement that will allow tests conducted at CAEAL-accredited laboratories to be recognized in 17 countries throughout the Asia Pacific region.

For more information, please download our release (.pdf).

Opening in CDM Accreditation Unit. We would like to seek your assistance with regard to alerting the professional world that we have an opening in our CDM accreditation unit. The vacancy announcement is available at http://unfccc.int/tools_xml/ie05.021.pdf with a closing deadline for
submission of applications of 27 November 2005. Kai-Uwe Barani Schmidt - UNFCCC

Updated Note to Members Regarding Implementation of ISO/IEC 17025:2005
For more information regarding the revisions to the implementation of ISO/IEC 17025:2005, please download this .pdf document.

Online Training: Nurture your quality system – one employee at a time (.pdf)

CAEAL Achieves Associate Membership Status in ILAC. For information, please see our ILAC web page in our International section.

Term Employment Opportunity at CAEAL - Assessments Officer

Management System Requirements of ISO/IEC 17025
Revised wording on accreditation certificates, calibration certificates and test reports to clarify misconception that accredited laboratories do not operate a recognised quality management system.  For full details, view Joint ISO-ILAC-IAF Communiqué (.pdf)

The 32nd Annual Aquatic Toxicity Workshop
The Annual Aquatic Toxicity Workshop provides an annual focus on the principals, current problems and approaches in aquatic toxicology. CAEAL is one of many sponsors of the Workshop.

For more information please visit: www.ATW.ca

Changes to the CAEAL PT Program
There are several significant changes scheduled for the CAEAL PT program over the next few months.  These have been due to a number of factors including feedback from members during the two PT workshops conducted in 2004 and new contracts with CAEAL’s collaborator laboratories. For the changes, and their implementation dates, download .pdf document.

Note to Members Regarding Implementation of ISO/IEC 17025:2005
As a recognised accreditation body, CAEAL will be expected to implement assessment against the 2005 version of ISO/IEC 17025 and to prepare both assessors and labs for the use of this new version.  For more information, download .pdf document.

Health Canada: Water Quality Activities: Methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) - Document for Public Comment (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/water-eau/index_e.html). Comment Period Ends September 19, 2005.

MOE/SCC/CAEAL joint memo on accreditation requirements(.pdf)

Laboratory Survey on Technical Barriers to Trade (.pdf)

ISO/CASCO announces their publication of the new version of the standard. View the .pdf notice here or to obtain a copy, visit the website below.

http://www.standardsstore.ca

Directory of Laboratories (including results up to March 2005 PT Study) is now available.

CAEAL Selected as Globe Awards Finalist
The Globe Foundation of Canada announced on May 13, 2005 that the Canadian Association for Environmental Analytical Laboratories (CAEAL) has been selected as one of the finalists for the 2005 Globe Awards for Environmental Excellence.

Read More (.pdf)

Message from the President of CAEAL (.pdf)

CAEAL Accreditation Symbol
The CAEAL Accreditation Symbol is available for use by laboratories (the Licensee).  The CAEAL Accreditation Symbol may be used only by those Licensees that have provided CAEAL with a duly signed copy of the License Agreement regarding the use of the CAEAL Accreditation Symbol.  For details on how to obtain the Agreement, please see the following document.

Obtaining CAEAL Symbol (.pdf)

CAEAL PT Program Receives A2LA Accreditation
On April 20, 2005, CAEAL’s PT program was granted accreditation by A2LA against International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) G 13:2000 Guidelines for the Requirements for the Competence of Providers of Proficiency Testing comprising ISO Guide 43 and relevant elements of ISO/IEC 17025:1999 and ISO 9001:1994.  CAEAL is proud of this recognition of a major CAEAL program by the world’s second largest accreditation body.  Please refer to the following link for details on CAEAL’s scope of accreditation.

http://www.a2la.org/dirsearch/ptproviders.cfm

On March 16, 2005 CAEAL was notified by APLAC that its members had voted to recognize CAEAL as a Full Member.

Employment Opportunity: Project Coordination Unit (PCU) at the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI), Castries, Saint Lucia (.pdf).

INMM's International Measurement Evaluation Program
(IMEP) is offering a free interlaboratory comparison that focuses on the analysis of total amount contents of Trace elements, PCBs and PAHs in sewage sludge. (IMEP-21)" Registration deadline is February 15, 2005. Click for information.

ILAC:17025 Implementation
In 2004 the Laboratory Committee undertook a survey of lab responses to the implementation of ISO/IEC 17025 and many Canadian labs responded; download the report.

Message from the President of CAEAL (.pdf)

CAEAL Board of Directors Positions (.pdf)

CAEAL Prepayment Policy (.pdf)

Accreditation Update (.pdf)

Message from the President of CAEAL (.pdf)

CAEAL Update on Expiration of SCC/CAEAL Partnership Agreement.

Accreditation of Calculations (.pdf)

September 15, 2004 - Ontario Regulation 153/04 Webcast/Webinar for Accredited Laboratories

Announcement (.pdf)
Registration Form (.pdf)

Directory of Laboratories (including results up to June 2004 PT Study) is now available.

Message from the President of CAEAL (.pdf)

Message from the President of CAEAL (.pdf)

The 31st Annual Aquatic Toxicity Workshop
The Annual Aquatic Toxicity Workshop provides an annual focus on the principals, current problems and approaches in aquatic toxicology.

For more information please visit: www.ATW.ca

Internship Wage Subsidies for Employers:
Eco Canada is a not-for-profit organization offering environmental career resources such as a job board, career profiles, recruitment strategies, professional development options, career planning tools,performance management strategies, professional certification and more.  You may visit http://www.eco.ca/ for more information.

Message from the President of CAEAL (.pdf)

Directory of Laboratories (including results up to March 2004 PT Study) is now available.

ILAC Laboratory Survey on ISO/IEC 17025

ILAC Survey (.doc)
ILAC Survey (Fax version, .pdf)

Directory of Laboratories (including results up to January 2004 PT Study) is now available.

Certification of Persons.  Do you think that CAEAL should establish a program to certify persons in environmental disciplines?

CAEAL now seeks your input with regard to the potential for a CAEAL program on personnel certification

PT Workshop.  In order to ensure that any changes to the program are based on member needs, we will be holding a Proficiency Testing Workshop in Vancouver on June 16th and 17th, 2004.

See the PT workshop page for details.

CAEAL has been representing Canada at ISO/CASCO on the work to align ISO/IEC 17025 with the QMS language contained in ISO 9000:2000. Ned Gravel, CAEAL Quality and Training Manager, is the Canadian delegate to this ISO/CASCO/Working Group 25.

Please see our International Standards Work section of CAEAL's ISO/IEC site.

Message from the President of CAEAL (.pdf)

Association of the Chemical Profession of Alberta: Chemical Health and SafetyWorkshop and Symposium

The MOE Requests Your Support for the Ontario Environment Business Directory

Directory of Laboratories (including results up to October 2003 PT Study) is now available.

Message from the President of CAEAL (.pdf)

Message from the President of CAEAL (.pdf)

Message from the President of CAEAL (.pdf)

Message from the President of CAEAL (.pdf)

Workshop Announcement: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Assuring the Quality and Safety of Drinking Water
Download Brochure (.pdf)
Download Registration Form (.pdf)

Message from the President of CAEAL (.pdf)

MOE/SCC/CAEAL Agreement for the Accreditation of Laboratories Conducting Analyses of Ontario Drinking Water

The Multidisciplinary Approach to Assuring the Quality and Safety of Drinking Water Workshop (.pdf)

Message from the President of CAEAL (.pdf)

NTA Notice (.pdf) - new test group C-30 (NTA) currently has only 10 labs participating.

The most recent Program Committee Meeting Minutes are now available.

Directory of Laboratories (including results up to March 2003 PT Study) is now available.

NACLA White Paper on Recognition (.pdf). Please see NACLA website www.nacla.net for more infomation,

Update on "CAEAL Policy on the Estimation Uncertainty of Measurement in Environmental Testing"

Petroleum Hydrocarbons in soil survey. View .pdf document.

Directory of Laboratories (including results up to January 2003 PT Study) is now available.

The International Centre for Environmental and Nuclear Sciences (University of the West Indies, Mona Campus in Kingston Jamaica) is seeking short term consultants.

International Symposium on Environmental Quality and Human Health in 21st Century- Progress through International Collaboration and Partnerships. August 10-15, Ottawa Ontario. Download official annoucement. For more information: http://www.iupac2003.org/

Member requires infromation on LIMS systems to help make an informed purchase decision

JOIN OUR TEAM OF HIGHLY TRAINED VOLUNTEER ASSESSORS!

Directory of Laboratories (including results up to October 2002 PT Study) is now available.

Assessments Officer Position. Applications are due by January 3, 2003.

CAEAL Program Committee Members have reviewed and provided comments on CAEAL's policy on the Estimation of Uncertainty of Measurement in Environmental Testing. We ask that the CAEAL membership provide feedback no later than December 15, 2002. See our Measurement Uncertainty page.

Standardization of CAEAL PT and Accreditation Program Parameter Nomenclature: List of Proposed Parameters

SCC, CAEAL, and CCIL Backgrounder addresses Accreditation of Labs in Canada with a focus on Drinking Water Testing Laboratories. Revised June 26, 2008.

The final report for the CAEAL/CCME PHC in Soil Pilot Study conducted in May of 2002 is now available in Adobe (.pdf) format. Any comments should be directed to Richard Turle, AAQD Chief, Environment Canada, Analysis and Air Quality.

Directory of Laboratories (including results up to June 2002 PT Study) is now available.

On July 10, 2002, CAEAL Board of Directors approved the CAEAL Policy on the Estimation of Uncertainty of Measurement in Environmental Testing. See our Measurement Uncertainty page.

Note to CAEAL Members on the work of Realigning ISO/IEC 17025 (CAN-P-4D) with ISO 9000:2000.

The Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy (MOEE) has provided CAEAL with clarification on acceptable methods for coliform analysis when laboratories are analyzing samples under Ontario Regulations 459/00 and 505/01.

JOIN OUR TEAM OF HIGHLY TRAINED VOLUNTEER ASSESSORS!

Due to the overwhelming demand for CAEAL's new Pesticide Test Groups, a fee reduction has been negotiated with our PT supplier. Download this .pdf document to view the reduced fees.

At the most recent Enviroanalysis conference, the first annual CAEAL scholarship award was presented to Mr. Hamid Badiei of the University of Waterloo. The award includes a trophy and a $1000 prize. A copy of his paper can be downloaded in pdf format by clicking here.

Measurement Uncertainty Training Offered By NATA (Australia) - See our Measurement Uncertainty page

Directory of Laboratories (including results up to March 2002 PT Study) is now available.

The Walkerton Report, Part 2, was released late on the afternoon of May 23, 2002. You can download Chapter 9 "The Role Of Laboratories" (.pdf) here, and access the entire report at http://www.walkertoninquiry.com/report2/index.html. CAEAL is strongly supportive of the Commission's recommendations, and we will be happy to work with the Ontario Government to implement the changes envisioned.

New Draft "CAEAL Policy on the Estimation Uncertainty of Measurement in Environmental Testing"

Press Release: SCC Grants Accreditation to CAEAL as a PT Provider

Lead in Water, Soil, and Air: Downloadable listing of CAEAL Laboratories

The most recent Program Committee Meeting Minutes are now available.

New Agreement between PAHO, SCC and CAEAL: A Partnership for Clean Water

* This agreemet has been superceded, for details, please visit: http://www.cala.ca/OSDWA_transfer.html

CAEAL/CCME PIlot Study for May 2002

HIRE/CO-OP A STUDENT - Visit our new page where you'll find links to University/College employment/experience programs.

New VOC CAEAL PT Parameters for June 2002

New CAEAL PT Parameters for 2002/2003

Training Contract Awarded

GJS Mass Measurement,(of Nepean, Ontario) a division of Fisher Scientific Limited, and LABCOR Technical Sales (of Anjou, Quebec) have won the right to train laboratory personnel in the competent in-house propagation of uncertainty for mass and temperature, respectively. This training is being offered to all accredited and applicant laboratories within the Standards Council of Canada Program for the Accreditation of Laboratories - Canada (SCC PALCAN). CAEAL is a laboratory accreditation partner within PALCAN and provides assessment services to all of the environmental testing laboratories within PALCAN. Training on the competent propagation of uncertainties within testing laboratories is considered to be an important first step for testing laboratories wishing to derive the uncertainties associated with their test results. This training also promotes the use of accredited calibration laboratories to PALCAN testing laboratories, in the calibration of their reference instruments and those bench devices requiring external calibration. The winning bidders provide calibration services to industry and have been deemed competent for the delivery of this service to PALCAN and CAEAL member laboratories. CAEAL congratulates the two winning bidders on their success and looks forward to working with them in meeting the needs of our members and PALCAN testing laboratories.

CCIL Press Release announcing the appointment of Mark R.Dettweiler, MBA, P.Eng., as the new Certification Program Manager.

SCC/CAEAL Laboratory Accreditation Program: Proficiency Testing (PT) Related Policies V2.4(.rtf)

* The above policy has been superceded, for more details, please visit our PT Library.

The most recent Program Committee Meeting Minutes are now available.

2001 CAEAL Serge Villard Recipient: Dr. Renu Joshi.

Press Release annoucing laboratory accreditation agreement (.pdf) between the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the SCC and CAEAL.

News Release on NACLA-SCC Bilateral Arrangement (.rtf)

SCC, CAEAL, and CCIL Backgrounder addresses Accreditation of Labs in Canada with a focus on Drinking Water Testing Laboratories.

PT Instructions are now available.

New Report Available on Measurement Uncertainty

International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Signing of International Arrangement to Enhance Trade

The National Cooperation for Laboratory Accreditation (NACLA) has announced (October 2, 2000) its formal recognition of three U.S. accrediting bodies: the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA), the International Council of Building Officials Evaluation Service (ICBO ES), and the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP)

New Board of Directors Information page.

CAEAL President 's presentation at AOAC Conference Halifax, NS June 2000.

A CCME PHC Method Draft (.doc) of the new, Canada-wide Standard method for PHC in Soil is available for download in Word format.

The SCC Policy on the Acceptability of Calibration Sources Used by Accredited Testing Laboratories is now available for download in Word format.

A new Partnership Agreement has been signed between CAEAL and the SCC and can be found on our partnership page.

Ontario Environment Business Directory 2000

Petroleum Hydrocarbons in Soil Study report has been issued and anyone interested in the method should contact Richard Turle (turle.richard@etc.ec.gc.ca).

Laboratory and analytical uses of ozone-depleting substances (ODSs)

News release from International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) on ILAC 2000 Conference

Canadian Standards Strategy discussion draft is available

CCHREI has just unveiled the EnviroJob Board (www.cchrei.ca/envirojob.html ), an on-line job bank of environmental positions that allows organizations to post job openings on-line and provides job seekers with a database of employment opportunities.

* CCHREI is now Eco Canada, please visit their website at eco.ca for more details.

Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) and the US Environmental Protection Agency have signed a memorandum of understanding concerning GLP recognition for pesticide studies. See the announcement at http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pmra-arla/glp-e.pdf

IMEP-14 Trace Elements in SedimentThe International Measurement Evaluation Programme (IMEP) has announced the IMEP-14 round which is focusing on trace elements in sediment. The elements are: As, B, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb, Se, Zn, and U. Samples will be available during June and July 1999 and the deadline for reporting is November 30, 1999. Cost is 300 Euro payable to NATA upon receipt of the sample.

Interested laboratories are invited to apply by June 30, 1999 to the Regional Co-ordinator: Dr. A. Squirell, NATA, 7 Leeds Street, Rhodes, NSW 2138, Australia. Tel. 0061 2 9736 8222. Fax. 0061 2 9743 6664.

New Information on Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)

NATA Proficiency Testing Samples Available

International Accreditations