“Californians rightfully demand that their drinking water be safe from toxic contaminants, and the first lines of defense are environmental and public health labs that analyze water samples,” explained Ruskin, who chairs the Assembly Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. “Because of the many advances in analytical techniques and changes in regulations, the labs must be able to test quickly, efficiently and accurately.”

The Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program (ELAP) was created 15 years ago to ensure that these laboratories are using the appropriate instruments and procedures by routinely inspecting laboratory facilities and having them analyze unknown samples. The program is administered by the Department of Health Services (DHS). ELAP results are used to support the regulatory compliance programs of DHS, the Regional Water Quality Control Boards, the Department of Toxic Substances Control, the California Department of Food and Agriculture and local health departments.

“Until now, it could take months for new regulations to be adopted. AB 1317 enacts a more coherent program that enables faster responses to new scientific developments, and quicker certification of the testing protocols for new pollutants as they are identified by simply changing regulations rather than requiring a change in statute, a much longer process,” Ruskin stated.

“Central to the protection of public health and the environment is the reliable measurement of pollutants in water, food and soils. Public health officials depend upon the accuracy of the results reported by these many environmental laboratories. AB 1317 not only assures continued protection of public health, but assists the regulated communities in being better able to comply with cleanup, treatment or reporting requirements as they evolve,” Ruskin concluded.

The bill maintains, in statute, the procedures and penalties for the denial, suspension, or revocation of laboratory accreditation, including authorization to inspect an environmental laboratory.

The measure had strong bipartisan support in the Legislature and involved in-depth negotiations with the administration. The bill was supported by the Association of California Water Agencies, the East Bay Municipal Utility District and the Laboratory Accreditation Work Group.