Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP) Certification

Commercial, non-commercial, or government laboratories must obtain an Environmental Laboratory Approval Program Certification from the NYS Department of Health (DOH) in order to analyze environmental samples or specimens originating in New York State.

Laboratories require ELAP Certification if they test:

• air
• stack emissions
• potable (drinking) and non-potable water
• waste water
• surface water
• ground water
• recreational waters
• swimming pools
• leachate
• land runoff
• solid waste
• hazardous waste
• medical marijuana
• soil, sediments, and vegetation
• any substance that could contribute to the pollution of, or that could be contaminated by, material contained in such samples or specimens.

An environmental laboratory may request certification in one or more of the following analyses categories:

• radon
• radiochemistry
• asbestos and fibers
• lead from non-human bodies
• toxic characteristic leaching procedures (TCLP)
• contract laboratory protocol (CLP).

Environmental laboratories do not include non-laboratory chemical testing associated with residential water softeners and residential swimming pools. An environmental laboratory must be directed by an individual who is qualified through education and experience, perform satisfactorily in at least semi-annual proficiency testing and a biennial on-site inspection. Certificate indicates a laboratory is competent to analyze environmental samples of drinking water, non-potable water, solid and hazardous waste, air and emissions and can perform the Contract Laboratory Protocol (CLP).