EMB deploys team to monitor environmental laboratories

The Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources deployed recently a technical team to monitor and reassess seven environmental laboratories in Region 3 and 4 and Metro Manila.

EMB Director Julian Amador said the monitoring and reassessment of environmental laboratories are being conducted on a regular basis to ensure their compliance to EMB’s guidelines and procedures. Findings from these reassessment activities will serve as basis for the renewal or non-renewal of the certificate of recognition of the environmental laboratories.

The designation of environmental laboratories was conceived in 1998 by the DENR to encourage the private sector in providing environmental analytical services to the public.

DENR Secretary Elisea Gozun stressed that while the EMB has laboratories, she said it could not be denied that there is a growing demand for environmental analytical services, arising from the government’s thrust towards improved environmental governance, which the private sector could easily provide to complement the government’s facilities.

Gozun identified the areas where private environmental laboratories are needed to include environmental characterization and monitoring environmental impact assessment, pollution control and management, and research and development.

The DENR chief said another reason for the recognition scheme on environmental laboratories is to harmonize laboratory analytical procedures and techniques.

"Like in other recognition or accreditation schemes, we also need to set standard procedures and guidelines which the environmental laboratories must strictly observe to maintain quality of service to the public," Gozun said.

Gozun disclosed the recognition scheme for environmental laboratories covers 27 parameters for water and waste water, 19 for ambient air and air emissions, and six parameter groups for sediment and biota. The scheme also consists of five steps to ensure quality service and integrity of generated environmental data and information, to include laboratory inspection and assessment and proficiency testing.

Based on EMB records, there are currently 28 environmental laboratories issued with certificates of recognition by the agency nationwide.s