ERAp,ottc"°" ERLN Overview
Environmental Response Laboratory Network (ERLN)
Learn More at https://www.epa.gov/emergency-response/environmental-response-laboratory-network
EPA established the Environmental Response Laboratory Network (ERLN) to assist in addressing chemical,
biological, and radiological threats during nationally significant incidents. The ERLN is managed by EPA's Office of
Emergency Management and serves as a national network of laboratories that can be accessed as needed to
support large scale environmental responses by providing consistent analytical capabilities, capacities, and quality
data in a systematic, coordinated response. The ERLN integrates capabilities of existing public sector laboratories
with accredited private sector labs to support environmental responses.
Mission
To provide Federal, State and local decision-makers
with reliable, high quality analytical data used to
identify chemical, biological, and radiological
contaminants collected in support of response and
cleanup activities.
Goals
Provide environmental laboratory testing capability
and capacity to meet EPA's responsibilities for
surveillance, response, decontamination, and
recovery from incidents involving release of
chemical, biological, or radiological contaminants;
Facilitate coordination of laboratories capable of
responding efficiently and effectively to
incidents; and
Establish relationships and priorities with other
federal laboratory networks through the Integrated
Consortium of Laboratory Networks (ICLN) in
preparation for a major environmental event. ICLN
is a system of laboratory networks that provides
timely, high-quality, and interpretable results for
early detection and effective consequence
management of acts of terrorism or other disasters.
Membership Criteria
Participation in the ERLN is based on a laboratory's
ability to meet ERLN's core requirements, which apply
to both public and private laboratories. Each laboratory
must establish, maintain, and demonstrate:
A quality system consistent with ISO 17025, The
NELAC Institute, or Drinking Water Certification
(as applicable);
Documented policies and procedures;
Sample management systems;
Facilities for sample handling and secure storage;
Data management and exchange procedures; and
Analytical capabilities and capacities for chemical,
biological, and radiological contaminants.
Benefits of ERLN Membership
Training and Exercise Opportunities
ERLN training and exercises enable your laboratory to
network with professionals from other laboratories across
the nation. Hands-on experience will increase your
laboratory's capabilities and ensure that your laboratory
personnel are familiar with ERLN procedures. The ERLN
also offers opportunities to participate in method
development studies.
Recognition as a Homeland Security Asset
The ERLN is a laboratory network established to help the
country respond to environmental emergencies and
provide public confidence that contaminants will be
identified and safely removed. As a member of the ERLN,
your laboratory will be pivotal in improving our national
security.
Improved Communications with
Member Laboratories
Improved communications with member laboratories
helps to address emerging analytical, laboratory security,
or laboratory operation challenges. The ERLN facilitates
interaction among member laboratories across the nation
to increase learning opportunities and coordination by
providing a uniform framework for sample management,
analysis, and data delivery. For example, members will
have access to an online ERLN Collaborative Workspace
where they can share information on a regular basis
outside of scheduled exercises and training sessions.
ICLN Support
As part of the ICLN, the ERLN coordinates with multiple
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offices,
providing a broad spectrum of expertise
and resources.
Contact Information
June 2018	Ahmed Hafez - 202.564.1944; hafez.ahmed@epa.gov
David Bright - 913.551.7897; bright.david@epa.gov
ERLN 24-Hour access via EPA HQ EOC 202.564.3850

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A	United States
Environmental Protection
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ERLN Overview
Environmental Response Laboratory Network (ERLN)
Laboratory Compendium
Ail laboratories accepted into the ERLN are required to
register and maintain a laboratory record in the EPA
Laboratory Compendium. The Compendium is a
limited-access database on analytical capabilities and
capacities of EPA, Federal, State, local, commercial,
and private laboratories.
To access the Laboratory Compendium, please visit
https://cfext.eoa.gov/cetl (A Factsheet is available.)
Application Process
Laboratories applying for membership must complete
the following requirements:
Review ERLN Laboratory Requirements and Policy
for Membership;
Complete ERLN application;
Provide supporting documentation with the
application such as accreditation qualifications;
certificates from accrediting authorities; plans and
procedures for sample management, handling, and
storage; laboratory affiliations; memberships; and
other related support documentation;
Read and sign the Acknowledgement of Laboratory
Responsibilities checklist; and
Register in the EPA Laboratory Compendium.
Admission into the ERLN is based on review of the
application package. The laboratory will be notified by
EPA of their membership status within sixty (60) days
of receipt of the completed application.
ERLN Member Responsibilities
If an ERLN member is contacted to provide services in
an emergency, the laboratory may choose whether or
not to provide services. In the event of such an
emergency, EPA will send project specifications for
review. If a member wants to provide services, the lab
should inform EPA of what support it can provide. If a
laboratory can support the project and chooses to
provide services, then it is expected to meet the
requirements of the project specification. Specific
responsibilities may include:
Supplying analyses for the isolation, detection, and
quantitative measurement of biological, chemical,
and radiological contaminants in samples collected
in support of environmental responses;
Adhering to the methods and technical requirements
specified in the project-specific order when testing
ERLN samples and reporting results;
Reporting positive or suspect test results to authorized
ERLN personnel within the timeframe specified;
Possessing and have operational all necessary
measurement and testing equipment required to
perform the applicable test as specified in the methods
reference in the project-specific order, prior to receipt
of samples; and
Observing any data transmission requirements noted in
the project-specific Task Order. Requirements may
include a unique data package for each data reporting
group, a specific format (computer-readable, PDF,
hardcopy), or specified timeframe.
Note: Requirements are detailed in their entirety in the
ERLN Laboratory Requirements document.
Reimbursement
Interagency Agreements are used to reimburse Federal
laboratories for their services in the ERLN. A Basic
Ordering Agreement (BOA) will be the primary
mechanism for funding private and non-federal, public
laboratories. If a non-federal, public laboratory is not
capable of entering into a BOA with EPA, or a laboratory
provides other services to support a response, other
appropriate reimbursement mechanisms will be
evaluated, as needed. For more information on BOAs,
please visit the ERLN Web site.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will there be on-site audits?
The ERLN reserves the right to conduct on-site audits at
any time, but they are usually done only as needed. In
most instances, the ERLN program office will request the
results of previous audits to minimize disruption to
laboratory operations. When required, ERLN on-site
laboratory evaluations are carried out to monitor the
laboratory's ability to provide required analytical services.
If a laboratory doesn't have any accreditation or
certification and submits a quality management checklist
to document a quality system, EPA may audit the
laboratory to verify the information. This verification
includes an analytical system evaluation and/or an
evidentiary system evaluation. It is intended to confirm
the laboratory's quality system(s) and will not have any
other consequences.
Do I have to participate in exercises as a
member lab?
No, exercises are voluntary, but the benefits of exercise
participation are substantial. Exercises assist in
understanding many aspects of the overall process. Your
laboratory participants will gain valuable hands-on
experience and build personal relationships with other lab
personnel.
Contact Information
June 2018	Ahmed Hafez - 202.564.1944; hafez.ahmed@epa.gov
David Bright - 913.551.7897; bright.david@epa.gov
ERLN 24-Hour access via EPA HQ EOC 202.564.3850

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