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Sample Acceptance Criteria

Upon arrival at the laboratory the sample is inspected and the following conditions are checked:

1. Completeness of sample collection forms. Which include sample identification, location, date and time of collection, name of collector, type of preservation if applicable, sample type.
2. Correct sample labeling
3. Use of appropriate sample containers, adequate volume, preservation, and holding time.
4. Adequate sample volume to perform the necessary tests.
5. Leakage or breakage
6. Temperature of samples requiring thermal preservation will be checked. Samples hand carried to the lab, immediately after collection, that do not meet the temperature criteria will be considered acceptable if there is evidence that the chilling process has begun, such as arrival on ice.
7. The pH of samples requiring acid preservation will be checked.
8. Microbiology samples coming from a source that has recently been chlorinated will be checked for the presence of chlorine. Microbiological samples from chlorinated water systems do not require an additional chlorine residual check in the laboratory if the chlorine residual is checked in the field and actual concentration is documented with sample submission.
9. The holding time (time between collection and the time sample must be received in the laboratory) is 30 hours.

Actions When Sample Acceptance Criteria is Not Met

1. When the sample received does not meet the sample acceptance requirements, the laboratory will make a determination whether another sample should be collected or the sample can be analyzed. The client will be contacted and informed as to how the unacceptable condition may affect the analysis of the sample.
2. When the sample received from a client does not meet the acceptance requirements, the laboratory shall request another sample or permission from the client to continue with the analysis if in the opinion of the laboratory the discrepancy does not affect the result. The condition of the sample will be documented.
3. If the sample is a compliance sample the sample is rejected if it does not meet the acceptance criteria for the analyses requested. By Federal regulation, the sample cannot be analyzed even if requested to by the client.
4. If the sample is not submitted for compliance purposes, the sample can be analyzed if requested to by the client, but the test report must be qualified indicating the failed acceptance criteria.