OK SB1678

Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality must recognize environmental laboratory accreditations issued by The NELAC Institute's (TNI) National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (NELAP) without requiring duplicate proficiency testing, quality assurance reviews, or on-site assessments.

Laboratories with NELAP accreditation must still comply with Oklahoma's administrative processes, including submitting applications and paying fees, but cannot be subjected to additional conformance requirements beyond TNI Standards.

Mutual recognition applies only to accreditation categories included in a laboratory's primary accreditation; laboratories seeking accreditation in additional categories must apply for primary accreditation in Oklahoma.

The Department may deny recognition if a law, rule, administrative proceeding, or court order precludes granting accreditation to a specific laboratory.

Effective date is July 1, 2010, with an emergency clause for immediate implementation upon passage and approval.