Foreword

The successful implementation of environmental protection programs essentially requires to identify and quantify the pollution sources, pollutants, conduct baseline survey, lay down standards and build-up monitoring systems. To meet these requirements, a competent environmental laboratory is envisaged with all necessary instruments, equipment, expertise, capabilities etc.

In order to develop guidelines for establishment and development of environmental laboratory, the Central Pollution Control Board has published a document on "Guidelines for Establishment, Evaluation and Gradation of Environmental Laboratories" during year 1994-95 under Laboratory Analytical Techniques Series: LA TS/9/1994-95.

MoEF had delegated powers to CPCB for recognition of environmental laboratories of Govt./Semi-Govt./Public Sector Undertakings and Educational Institutes. Environmental laboratories of various organizations submit applications for seeking recognition under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Based on the guidelines, applications of environmental laboratories are scrutinized and evaluated. On fulfillment of criteria, inspection is undertaken and laboratories are recognized.

Over the years, The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 has been strengthened with several enactments rules and notifications. Standards have been formulated for various parameters in each industrial sector. The environmental laboratories, in order to provide infrastructural support for environmental pollution control activities, should have comprehensive infrastructural analytical facilities, expertise for all groups of parameters including water, air, noise, hazardous waste, soil, sludge etc. Accordingly, the earlier published document has been updated, revised and emphasis laid on Quality Assurance and Quality Control aspects. The information contained in present report has been updated, collated and compiled by Sh. B. K. Jakhmola under the supervision of Dr. C. S. Sharma, Dr. S. D. Makhijani and Dr. B. Sengupta. The document manuscript typesetted by Sh. K. P. Srivastava.

We hope that the information and guidelines contained in this document will provide necessary assistance to the Pollution Control Boards/Committees, State Governments and other organizations for establishing, evaluation and recognition of environmental laboratories.