Terms Used to Describe the
Standing of U.S. EPA Methods
JULY 2023
Environmental Methods Forum
U.S. EPA | OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
PUBLICATION NUMBER: 601R23003
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Terms Used to Describe the Standing of U.S. EPA Methods, 2023
TERMS USED TO DESCRIBE THE STANDING
OF U.S. EPA METHODS
Prepared by:
EPA Environmental Methods Forum (EMF)
Method Terms Workgroup
John Griggs, Chair
William Adams
Sandra Aker
Flora Barrow
Sarah Burket
Michele Cottrill
Brooke Holmes
Christina Langlois-Miller
Stacie Masters
Brett Moody
Anand Mudambi
Yaorong Qian
Robin Segall
Glynda Smith
Troy Strock
Workgroup Members:
Office of Air and Radiation
Office of Water
Region 4
Office of Research and Development
Office of Water
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
Office of Research and Development
Office of Land and Emergency Management
Region 4
Office of Land and Emergency Management
Office of Research and Development
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
Office of Air and Radiation
Office of Water
Office of Land and Emergency Management
Contributors:
Paul Golden Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
Thuy Nguyen Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
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Terms Used to Describe the Standing of U.S. EPA Methods, 2023
Preface
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) relies on methods for the analysis of
samples for environmental contaminants for both regulatory and non-regulatory purposes. These
methods are developed by EPA or adopted from external parties for Agency use.
The purpose of this document is to compile terms (e.g., regulatory, promulgated, etc.) used by EPA to
describe and designate the standing of its methods (includes aspects like status and type) and promote a
better understanding of these terms. Specifically, this document is intended for use by EPA personnel,
states, regulated industry, laboratories and testing organizations, instrument vendors, and the public
who want a better understanding of the meanings of these terms and their application by EPA.
This document was prepared by the Environmental Methods Forum (EMF) "Method Terms" Workgroup.
The EMF is a cross-Agency forum chartered under EPA's Laboratory Enterprise Council (LEC). For more
information on the EMF and LEC, please go to: https://www.epa.gov/labs/national-program-manager-
iregionall-llalboiratoiries-actiivitiesffcollllalboiration.
The Method Terms workgroup extends its appreciation to Nathaniel Burola for his diligent work and
support on this document.
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Terms Used to Describe the Standing of U.S. EPA Methods, 2023
Contents
Preface 2
1. Introduction, Purpose, and Scope 5
1.1 Intended Audience 5
1.2 Note 5
2. Background 5
2.1 EPA Method Definitions 5
2.2 Other Method Definitions 6
2.3 Statutes 7
2.4 How EPA Methods are Developed or Adopted 8
2.4.1 Internal and External Methods 8
2.4.2 Method Formats 8
2.4.3 Naming Convention for EPA Methods 8
3. Publications Associated with Method Terms 9
3.1 Federal Register 9
3.2 Code of Federal Regulations 9
3.3 EPA Docket 9
3.4 EPA Guidance 10
4. Method Standing and Related Terms 10
4. 1 Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards Programs 10
4.1.1 Stationary Source Program 11
4.1.2 Ambient Air Monitoring Program 13
4.2 Office of Chemical Safety and Pesticide Prevention Programs 15
4.2.1 Chemical Safety and Pesticide Prevention Methods Naming Convention 15
4.2.2 Chemical Safety and Pesticide Prevention Method Terms 15
4.3 Office of Land and Emergency Management Programs 17
4.3.1 The SW-846 Compendium 17
4.3.2 Contract Laboratory Program 20
4.4 Office of Water Programs 22
4.4.1 Safe Drinking Water Act 22
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Terms Used to Describe the Standing of U.S. EPA Methods, 2023
4.4.2 Clean Water Act 24
4.5 Office of Research and Development Programs 26
4.6 Regional Programs 26
5. Appendices 28
5.1 Appendix A: Index 28
5.2 Appendix B: Acronyms 31
4.3 Appendix C: Statutes 33
5.4 Appendix D: Environmental Monitoring Management Council (EMMC) Methods Format 35
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Terms Used to Describe the Standing of U.S. EPA Methods, 2023
1. Introduction, Purpose, and Scope
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) relies on methods for the analysis of
samples for environmental contaminants for both regulatory and non-regulatory purposes. These
methods are developed by the Agency or adopted from external parties for Agency use. EPA uses many
terms (e.g., regulatory, promulgated, approved, etc.) to describe the standing of a method (includes
aspects like status and type). The decentralized nature of method development and adoption at EPA, as
well as the different needs of EPA's various programs, have sometimes led to nuanced uses for similar
terms by its different offices to describe the standing of US EPA methods.
The purpose of this document is to:
(a) compile terms (e.g., regulatory, promulgated, approved) used by EPA to describe/designate
the standing of its methods, and
(b) promote a better understanding of these terms for both EPA personnel and external parties
(e.g., states, regulated industry, laboratories and testing organizations, instrument vendors, the public
etc.).
This document only addresses terms that describe method standing and does not include terms
that describe technical characteristics of a method (e.g., detection limits).
1.1 Intended Audience
This document is intended for use by both EPA personnel and external parties (e.g., states, regulated
industry, laboratories and testing organizations, instrument vendors, the public) who want a better
understanding of the meanings of terms used by EPA to describe the standing of its methods and how
they are applied.
1.2 Note
This document explains terms used by different offices within EPA for their methods. These explanations
have been provided by the respective EPA offices and are intended to provide a general overview and
applicability of the terms.
2. Background
2.1 EPA Method Definitions
EPA does not have a single definition for a method used for environmental analysis. Examples of general
method definitions used at EPA include:
Absolute Method: a body of procedures and techniques for performing a task (e.g., sampling,
characterization, quantification) systematically presented in the order in which they are to be
executed (1).
Method: procedures and techniques for performing an activity (e.g., sampling, chemical
analysis, quantification) and producing a result, and the procedures are usually presented in the
order in which they are to be executed (1).
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Test Method: adoption of a scientific technique for a specific measurement problem, as
documented in a laboratory Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) or published by a recognized
authority (2).
Examples of EPA Office-specific definitions include:
Office of Air and Radiation Stationary Source Emissions Test Method Program under the Clean
Air Act (CAA): the validated procedure for sampling, preparing, and analyzing for an air pollutant
specified in a relevant standard as the performance test procedure (3).
Office of Water Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Analytical Method: a procedure used to
measure the amount of particular contaminants in drinking water samples (4).
o Analytical methods generally describe how to:
¦ Collect, preserve, and store the sample
¦ Separate, identify, and measure contaminants in the sample
¦ Meet quality control criteria
¦ Report the results of the analysis
2.2 Other Method Definitions
Standards organizations like ASTM International, American Public Health Association (APHA), American
Water Works Association (AWWA), Water Environment Federation (WEF), and the International
Organization for Standardization (ISO) develop methods that are frequently adopted or designated by
EPA for use in its regulatory programs. Definitions for methods used by these organizations vary and
some examples are given below:
Test Method (ASTM): definitive procedure that produces a test result and requires a precision
and bias statement (5).
Measurement Method (ISO): generic description of a logical organization of operations used in a
measurement (measurement methods may be qualified in various ways such as: substitution
measurement method, differential measurement method, and null measurement method; or
direct measurement method, and indirect measurement method) (6).
Measurement Procedure (ISO): detailed description of a measurement according to one or more
measurement principles and to a given measurement method, based on a measurement model
and including any calculation to obtain a measurement result (a measurement procedure is
usually documented in sufficient detail to enable an operator to perform a measurement, can
include a statement concerning a target measurement uncertainty, and is sometimes called a
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) (6).
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater (APHA, AWWA, WEF): a
procedure qualifies as a Standard Method in one of two ways: (a) The procedure must undergo
development and validation and collaborative testing that meet the requirements set forth in
Sections 1040B and C of 'Standard Methods', respectively, and it is 'widely used' by members of
the Standard Methods Committee; or (b) The procedure is 'widely used' by the members of the
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Terms Used to Describe the Standing of U.S. EPA Methods, 2023
Standard Methods Committee and it has appeared in two previous editions of 'Standard
Methods' (7).
Method of Analysis (Association of Official Analytical Collaboration (AOAC) International): the
method of analysis is the detailed set of directions, from the preparation of the test sample to
the reporting of the results, that must be followed exactly for the results to be accepted for the
stated purpose (8).
It is important to note that a Standard Operating Procedure should not be confused with a method. A
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is a set of written instructions that document a routine or
repetitive activity followed by an organization. SOPs are often used by EPA and other organizations in
conjunction with published methods; the SOP will specify the procedures to be followed in greater detail
than the method and include any particular procedures and/or equipment that the organization uses in
conducting the method. Citing published methods in SOPs is not always acceptable, because cited
published methods may not contain pertinent information for conducting the procedure-in-house (9).
2.3 Statutes
EPA's Offices develop or adopt/designate methods for environmental analysis to support programs
operated under the statutory authority listed in this section. Additional information on these statutes is
given in Appendix IB.
Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM):
The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA)
o SW-846 Compendium
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA)
The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA)
Office of Water (OW):
Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA)
Clean Water Act (CWA)
Office of Air and Radiation (OAR):
Clean Air Act (CAA)
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP):
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA)
Pollution Prevention Act (PPA)
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2.4 How EPA Methods are Developed or Adopted
Methods published by EPA have different requirements and processes for development, approval, and
acceptance, often depending on their application and the EPA Office with which they are affiliated.
These methods are developed or adopted by an Office or Region for their respective program. For
additional information about specific method development and adoption requirements, please contact
the responsible program.
2.4.1 Internal and External Methods
EPA utilizes both internal (EPA-developed) methods and external methods in its regulatory and other
programs. Internal methods are developed by EPA Offices and Regions, usually for their respective
programs. Sources of external methods include those developed by Voluntary Consensus Standards
Bodies (VCSB). In its regulatory programs, EPA typically uses Incorporation by Reference when it wants
to designate or adopt a method for compliance.
The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act requires EPA to use technical standards
developed by Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies (VCSB), when practical, to carry out the Agency's
policy objectives and other EPA activities, including the development of regulations. Examples of VCSBs
include but are not limited to: ASTM International, International Organization for Standardization (ISO),
and Water Environment Federation (WEF) (10).
In the context of this document, voluntary consensus standards are standardized methods that are used
for environmental sample collection and/or analysis and are published by a recognized VCSB. Voluntary
consensus standards are developed, validated, and reviewed according to the requirements of the VCSB,
and they are published based on the consensus decision of a committee of technical experts from
industry, academia, government, and/or non-governmental organizations. Some EPA regulations allow
or require the use of specified voluntary consensus standards to demonstrate compliance (11).
2.4.2 Method Formats
The format of EPA methods may be different than that of external parties, but much of the terminology
is similar. As noted previously, acceptable analytical methods can come from EPA or from outside
organizations such as VCSBs. Generally, Agency methods are expected to address the sections listed in
the Environmental Monitoring Management Council (EMMC) Methods Format document, a method
format template developed in the 1990s that established a consistent framework for writing and
updating methods. The EMMC format can be found in Appendix C.
2.4.3 Naming Convention for EPA Methods
EPA does not have an Agency-wide standardized naming convention for all methods. Instead, EPA
Offices and Regions develop and employ their own specific naming conventions for their respective
programs. See Section 4 for program-specific naming conventions. For a compilation of many of EPA's
method numbers and method descriptions, please refer to the Index to EPA Test Methods at
https://www.epa.gov/sites/defaullt/filles/2015-03/docuirnents/testirneth.pdf.
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Terms Used to Describe the Standing of U.S. EPA Methods, 2023
3. Publications Associated with Method Terms
The following are federal and Agency publications in which EPA makes methods available to the public.
3.1 Federal Register
The Federal Register (FR) is the official daily publication for proposed and final rules, and other notices
of Federal agencies and organizations, executive orders, and other presidential documents. EPA
methods may appear in the Federal Register to notify the public of their existence for both regulatory
and non-regulatory applications.
In some cases, publishing methods in the Federal Register promulgates the methods, or formally puts
them into effect by public declaration (e.g. as in 2018-24747.pdf (goviinfo.gov) (12). A method published
in the Federal Register may not be included in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) if it is non-
regulatory (see Section on IEPA Guidance below).
3.2 Code of Federal Regulations
The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) annual edition is the codification of the general and permanent
rules published in the Federal Register by the departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
The CFR is divided into 50 titles (e.g., Title 40 is "Protection of Environment") that represent broad areas
subject to Federal regulation. Each title is divided into chapters, which usually bear the name of the
issuing agency. Each chapter is further subdivided into subchapters and parts that cover specific
regulatory areas (e.g., Chapter 1 is "Environmental Protection Agency", Subchapter D is "Water
Programs", and Part 141 is "National Primary Drinking Water Regulations) (13).
Regulatory methods addressed by the CFR are typically incorporated by reference and identified to
support the respective regulation. These test methods may be required to be used to demonstrate
compliance with regulations promulgated under the relevant environmental statutes (See Appendix IB
for additional information) that the various EPA programs administers. Establishment of regulatory
method requirements via final rules in the FR (and subsequent codification of the action in the CFR)
promotes consistency and comparability in environmental measurements as regulated entities are
legally bound to use the methods.
The following website provides a list of methods have been published in the Federal Register and
codified in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): EMC Promulga Methods II US EPA
3.3 EPA Docket
A docket is a collection of documents made available by an agency for public viewing. Often associated
with an opportunity for public comment, EPA dockets consist of materials used to support a rulemaking
or other agency action. These may include documents specifically referenced in the Federal Register,
public comments received, and other information used by the Agency to explain or support its decisions.
EPA dockets may support rulemaking or non-rulemaking actions (15).
Rulemaking (sometimes referred to as "regulatory") dockets support EPA's efforts to propose, amend,
repeal, or promulgate a rule or regulation. Rulemaking dockets contain: Federal Register Notices (Notice
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of Proposed Rulemaking, Final Rule Notice, and/or Direct Final Rule Notice), proposed rule text,
supporting documents, and/or submitted public comments. Non-rulemaking dockets (also known as
"general' dockets) contain information on any agency process or action not related to the development
of a rule. (15).
EPA posts publicly-available docket materials to Regulations.gov. The public may search, view, and
comment on those materials. Dockets, and the documents in them, can be identified by their unique ID
code. Docket IDs have five parts: AGENCY-LOCATION-OFFICE-YEAR-DOCKET NUMBER (15).
3.4 EPA Guidance
In some cases, EPA programs publish methods as guidance. Guidance has been defined by Executive
Order 13422 (2007) as "an agency statement of general applicability and future effect, other than a
regulatory action that sets forth a policy on a statutory, regulatory or technical issue or an interpretation
of a statutory or regulatory issue". Guidance is categorized as a non-legislative rule under the
Administrative Procedure Act which governs how agencies develop regulations (16). Publication of a test
method as guidance is generally not part of a rulemaking process because it does not involve changes to
a regulation, which reduces the number of steps required and enables more timely publication and
revision. To ensure quality, transparency, and accountability, guidance methods may nevertheless be
subject to many of the process steps used for publication of regulatory methods, such as internal agency
review and public participation, but the methods are not required by regulation. For example, the SW-
846 Compendium includes examples of both regulatory and guidance ("non-regulatory") methods. The
SW-846 Compendium is a collection of test methods and related guidance published by EPA's Office of
Resource Conservation and Recovery to support implementation of the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA). Updates to regulatory methods specified in RCRA regulations are made through
the Agency rulemaking process, while updates to non-regulatory methods and other guidance are made
through a streamlined process (17).
4. Method Standing and Related Terms
This section provides an overview of EPA offices and their programs that develop methods, the statutes
under which the methods are developed and their method naming conventions. Each overview is
followed by the terms used within that Office to describe the standing of their methods. Please note
that the decentralized nature of method development and adoption at EPA, as well as the different
needs of EPA's various programs, have sometimes resulted in nuanced uses for similar terms between
different offices.
4. 1 Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards Programs
The Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) develops national programs, policies, and regulations for
controlling air pollution and radiation exposure. OAR is responsible for administering the Clean Air Act.
the Atomic Energy Act, and other applicable environmental laws. The Office of Air Quality Planning and
Standards within OAR has two primary programs that require environmental measurements and thus
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rely heavily on test methods: the Stationary Source Program and the Ambient Air Monitoring Program.
These programs are described below.
4,1.1 Stationary Source Program
The Stationary Source Program regulates stationary sources of air pollution using emission standards
including those in 40 CFR Part 59, 60, 61, 63, and 65. The regulated facilities conduct environmental
measurements to demonstrate compliance with the emissions standards for criteria pollutants -
particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, lead, and volatile organic
compounds - and hazardous air pollutants also termed air toxics. EPA promulgates many of the test
methods and continuous monitoring performance specifications used in the stationary source program.
For additional information, please refer to the Air Emission Measurement Center (EMC) internet page at
https://www.epa.gov/emc.
4.1.1.a Stationary Source Program Methods Naming Convention
The stationary source methods promulgated by EPA carry an xx, lxx, 2xx, or 3xx alphanumeric
designation depending upon whether they are published in, Part 60, Part 61, Part 51, or Part 63,
respectively, of Title 40. Some stationary source test methods include letter designations (e.g., A, B, C,
etc.) which typically designate other methods for the same pollutant; these letter designations are not
an indication of an update or an automatically approved alternative. The continuous monitoring
performance specifications promulgated by EPA are currently numbered from 1 through 18. Some
include letter designations (e.g., A, B, C, etc.) which designate other continuous monitoring performance
specifications for the same pollutant. The continuous monitoring performance specifications are
published in 40 CFR 60, Appendix B.
4,l,l,h Stationary Source Program Method Terms
Term
Explanation
Methods Promulgated in
the Federal Register
These methods have been proposed and promulgated in the
Federal Register and codified in the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR). The methods are directly cited by specific
regulations for determining compliance under 40 CFR Parts
51, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, and 65 and may be used by regulated
sources for application as cited by the regulations without
further EPA approval. The 200 series methods are
promulgated primarily to facilitate incorporation in applicable
State Implementation Plans but have also been occasionally
cited in other regulations.
Methods Proposed in
the Federal Register
These methods have been proposed in the Federal Register
but have not yet finalized (promulgated).
Source Category/Broadly Approved
Alternative Methods
These methods are approved alternatives and modifications
to the methods and testing procedures required by 40 CFR
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Source Category/Broadly Approved
Alternative Methods
Parts 59, 60, 61, 63, and 65 as described by the General
Provisions or Subparts of the corresponding Parts and as
further explained in the Federal Register notice at
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2007-01-
30/pdf/E7-1338.pdf. As such, the methods mav be used bv
sources for determining compliance with the requirements of
these Parts per their specified applicability provisions without
further EPA approval. The Administrator, or designee has
approved these methods for the specified applications; this
approval has been documented through an official EPA
determination letter. These methods include quality control
and quality assurance procedures that must be met. For
additional information, please refer to the Emission
Measurement Center Guideline Document at
https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2020-
08/documents/gd-022.pdf.
Facility-specific Approved
Alternative Test Methods
These methods are also approved alternatives or
modifications to the methods and testing procedures
required by the same CFR Parts listed above; however, they
apply only to the one or more specific facilities named in the
official EPA determination letter.
Conditional Methods
This category includes methods that were categorized as
conditional test methods before the method categories were
revised. Today these methods would be included in the Other
Test Methods category, but because some of these methods
have been cited in state rules and permits under their
Conditional Test Method (CTM) designation, we have created
a category for them and called it "Historic Conditional
Methods". This category is closed, and no new methods will
be added to it.
Other Methods
This category includes test methods which have not yet been
subject to the Federal rulemaking process. Each of these
methods, as well as the available technical documentation
supporting them, have been reviewed by staff of the
Measurement Technology Group in EPA's Office of Air Quality
Planning and Standards and have been found to be
potentially useful to the emission measurement community.
The types of technical information reviewed include field and
laboratory validation studies; results of collaborative testing;
articles from peer-reviewed journals; peer-review comments;
and quality assurance (OA) and quality control (QC)
procedures in the method itself. Information summarizing the
available technical information for each method can be found
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Other Methods
at the link below. EPA strongly encourages the submission of
additional supporting field and laboratory data as well as
comments regarding these methods. These methods may be
considered for use in Federally enforceable State and local
programs (e.g., Title V permits, State Implementation Plans
(SIP)) provided they are subject to an EPA Regional SIP
approval process or permit veto opportunity and public
notice with the opportunity for comment. The methods may
also be considered as candidates for alternative methods to
meet Federal requirements under 40 CFR Parts 59, 60, 61,
and 63. However, they must be approved as alternatives
under 40 CFR 60.8, 61.13, or 63.7(f) before an affected source
may use them for this purpose. Consideration of a method's
applicability for a particular purpose should be based on the
stated applicability as well as the supporting technical
information outlined in the table. The methods are available
for application without EPA oversight for other non-EPA
program uses including state permitting programs and
scientific and engineering applications.
https://www.epa.gov/eirTic/eirTic-otheir-test-irTiethods
4.1.2 Ambient Air Monitoring Program
For the Ambient Air Monitoring Program, pollutants in the ambient air of the U.S. are measured by
State, local, and Tribal programs to show compliance with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards or
(NAAQS) for the specific criteria pollutants listed in 40 CFR Part 50. Federal Reference Methods for the
criteria pollutants are promulgated by EPA. Though there are no national standards for ambient air
toxics, there are EPA led programs for air toxics measurement, and EPA has published methods for air
toxics in the ambient air in the Inorganic (10) or Toxic Organic (TO) compound compendiums (18). For
additional information, please refer to the Ambient Monitoring Technology Information Center (AMTIC)
page at https://www.epa.gov/amtic.
4.1.2.a Ambient Air Monitoring Methods Naming Convention
The Federal Reference Methods for the criteria pollutants are not numbered but are published in
separate appendices of 40 CFR Part 50. The Inorganic (10) and Toxic Organic (TO) methods are
numbered starting at 1 within each compendium document as follows: 10-1, 10-2, 10-3... and TO-1, TO-2,
TO-3...
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4.1.2.b Ambient Air Monitoring Method Terms
Term
Explanation
Federal Reference Methods
Defined in 40 CFR Part 53.1: Federal reference method
(FRM) means a method of sampling and analyzing the
ambient air for an air pollutant that is specified as a reference
method in an appendix to part 50 of this chapter, or a
method that has been designated as a reference method in
accordance with this part; it does not include a method for
which a reference method designation has been canceled in
accordance with Part 53.11 or Part 53.16.
The Federal Reference Methods apply to criteria pollutants
regulated under the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
Those FRM codified in the appendices to 40 CFR Part 50 have
undergone a rulemaking process; other FRM are announced
via a Federal Register Notice according to the provisions
codified in 40 CFR Part 53 and are listed on the EPA website.
Federa! Equivalent Methods
Defined in 40 CFR Part 53.1: Federal equivalent method
(FEM) means a method for measuring the concentration of an
air pollutant in the ambient air that has been designated as
an equivalent method in accordance with this part; it does
not include a method for which an equivalent method
designation has been canceled in accordance with Part 53.11
or Part 53.16.
Federal Equivalent Methods are announced via a Federal
Register Notice according to the provisions codified in 40 CFR
Part 53 and are listed on the EPA website at:
httDs://www.eDa.gov/amtic/air-monitoring-methods-criteria-
Dollllutants.
Non-Regulatory Methods termed as
10 and TO Methods
EPA Compendium of Methods for the
Determination of Inorganic
Compounds in Ambient Air and
EPA Compendium of Methods for the
Determination of Organic
Compounds in Ambient Air
These two Compendiums contain methods presented in a
standardized format, with applicable sampling methods and
analytical techniques, for (1) specific classes of inorganic
pollutants appropriate to their ambient levels and potential
interferences and (2) volatile, semi-volatile, and selected
toxic organic pollutants, respectively. EPA developed these
compendiums to assist Federal, State, and local regulatory
personnel in developing and maintaining necessary expertise
and up-to-date monitoring technology for characterizing
inorganic and organic pollutants in the ambient air that are
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Non-Regulatory Methods termed as
10 and TO Methods
EPA Compendium of Methods for the
Determination of Inorganic
Compounds in Ambient Air and
EPA Compendium of Methods for the
Determination of Organic
Compounds in Ambient Air
not regulated under the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards.
(1) h tt p s:: //www, epa.gov/a m t ic/co m p endi u m - methods-
determination-inorganjc-compounds-ambient-air
(2) https:://www.epa.gov/amtic/compendium-methods-
determination-toxic-organic-compounds-ambient-air
4.2 Office of Chemical Safety and Pesticide Prevention Programs
The Office of Chemical Safety and Pesticide Prevention (OCSPP) implements the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA), the Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA), and the Pollution Prevention Act, as well as portions of other statutes.
The OCSPP includes three offices: Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP), Office of Pollution Prevention and
Toxics (OPPT), and Office of Program Support. In the course of their mission, OCSPP offices require the
submission of scientific data to support (1) the registration of a pesticide under FIFRA; (2) setting of a
tolerance or tolerance exemption for pesticide residues under FFDCA; and (3) other decision-making
process for potential regulation of an industrial chemical under TSCA. For additional information, please
refer to the OSCPP internet page at https://www.epa.gov/test-guidelines-pesticides-and-toxic-
substances/final-test-guidelines-pesticides-and-toxic.
4.2.1 Chemical Safety and Pesticide Prevention Methods Naming Convention
EPA establishes test guidelines of accepted scientific methods and protocols to be used to generate data
for submission to the Agency in support of regulatory decisions under TSCA, FIFRA and/or FFDCA.
OCSPP's Master List of Test Guidelines for Pesticides and Toxic Substances provides naming convention
organization and can be found at https://www.epa.gov/test-guidelines-pesticides-and-toxic-
substances/master-list-test-guidelines-pesticides-and-toxic.
4.2.2 Chemical Safety and Pesticide Prevention Method Terms
Term
Explanation
Accepted Standardized Method/
Approved Standard Method/
Recommended Method
Methods recommended for use in testing pesticides and
chemical substances to develop data for submission to the
agency under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) (15
U.S.C. 2601, et seq.), the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) (7 U.S.C. 136, et seq.), and section
408 of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA) (21
U.S.C. 346a). These methods are intended to provide data to
inform regulatory decisions under TSCA, FIFRA, and FFDCA.
The methods are referenced in a series of test guidelines
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Accepted Standardized Method/
Approved Standard Method/
Recommended Method
established by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency's Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention
(OCSPP).
Product Label Enforcement Method
An analytical method suitable for enforcement purposes of
the pesticide product labels for each active ingredient in the
product and for each other ingredient or impurity that is
toxicologically significant.
Residue Analytical Methods
Analytical methods for determining all components of the
total toxic residue (TTR). Residue analytical methods are used
to obtain residue data on which dietary exposure
assessments and tolerances are based, and to enforce the
tolerance after it is established. The methods for residue
analyses should serve two functions: They must provide the
residue data upon which judgements are made as to the
identity and magnitude of residues resulting from the
proposed use, and they must provide a means for
enforcement of the tolerance.
Multiresidue Analytical Methods
Analytical methods capable of determining many pesticide
residues in a single analysis to assess the incidence of the
pesticide residues remaining on agricultural commodities,
food, and feeds.
New/Other/Modified Method
The agency recognizes that novel technologies and claims
may evolve over time and would potentially involve test
methods that are not referenced in OCSPP test guideline
series. If there is no existing agency-approved standard
method, registrants may, in consultation with the agency,
develop and submit protocols for tests to support desired
claims. If a standard method must be modified for testing,
the modified protocol should be developed and submitted to
the agency for review prior to testing. All new or modified
protocols should be submitted to the agency with a
justification for the need for a new or modified method for
review and approval prior to data generation and collection.
Final/Draft/lnterim Method/
Guidance
If EPA accepts the data from the new/other/modified method
and approves the claim requested by the registrant, then EPA
will post the new protocol (as "final", "draft", "interim" etc.)
on its Web site for other registrants to use.
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4.3 Office of Land and Emergency Management Programs
EPA's Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM) houses several program offices that are
responsible for regulatory or voluntary programs to limit risk to human health and the environment
from chemical exposure. These programs rely on testing data to support environmental management
decisions related to emergency response, waste management, accidental chemical releases,
contaminated site cleanup and redevelopment, and more. To support these regulatory and testing
needs, OLEM program offices publish the SW-846 Compendium and maintain methods-based analytical
services contracts as part of the Contract Laboratory Program, which are described in more detail below.
4,3,1 The SW-846 Compendium
Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods, also known as SW-846, is a
collection of test methods and related guidance published by EPA's Office of Resource Conservation and
Recovery (ORCR). SW-846 is used to support implementation of the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act (RCRA), and SW-846 methods are used by the regulated community, other EPA program
offices and other federal, state, and local agencies (19). RCRA provides a national regulatory framework
for management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid wastes in the United States. Under RCRA, SW-
846 methods are used to support compliance with regulatory requirements such as identification of
hazardous waste (40 CFR Part 261 Subpart C), emissions testing at hazardous waste incinerators (40 CFR
Part 266) and evaluation of treatment effectiveness of hazardous waste at RCRA permitted facilities (40
CFR Part 268). RCRA regulations incorporate some SW-846 methods and voluntary consensus standards
by reference in 40 CFR Part 260.11, and these methods are required to be followed without deviation to
generate definitive data for the purpose of evaluating regulatory compliance. For RCRA applications,
SW-846 methods that are not incorporated by reference in RCRA are published as guidance and may be
modified as needed to meet the needs of the project, or other methods may be used, provided the
laboratory or facility demonstrates the methods are appropriate (i.e., they are capable of meeting any
project-specific data quality objectives) (20). SW-846 methods are also referenced in state regulations
and other federal regulations (e.g., 40 CFR Part 503.8, 40 CFR Part 761.61) (20) and may be required to
demonstrate compliance with these regulations. Use of SW-846 methods may also be required when
specified in a RCRA permit or other legal document such as a consent decree. For additional
information, please refer to the SW-846 internet page at https://www.epa.gov/hw-sw846.
4.3.1.a SW-846 Methods Naming Convention
ORCR employs a specific naming convention for SW-846 Methods that includes a unique four-digit
method number based on the method series for published/final methods. A letter suffix is also
appended to or incremented at the end of significant method revisions; See 'Revised Methods'
explanation in the following Table. SW-846 methods are organized in series that address similar topics,
technologies, or classes of chemicals, as follows:
0010-0100 Series: Air Sampling and Stack Emissions
1000 Series: Waste Characteristics and Leaching/Extraction Methods
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3000 Series: Inorganic Sample Preparation
3500 Series: Organic Sample Extraction
3600 Series: Organic Extract Cleanup
4000 Series: Immunoassay Methods
5000 Series: Sample Preparation and Introduction for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
6000 Series: Inorganic Determinative Methods - Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) and Other
Methods
7000 Series: Inorganic Determinative Methods - Atomic Absorption (AA) and Other Methods
8000 Series: Chromatographic Separation Methods
9000 Series: Miscellaneous Test Methods
Many SW-846 methods are modular, i.e., multiple aqueous and solid sample preparation methods can
be used in conjunction with a given determinative method. SW-846 Chapters provide guidance related
to how SW-846 methods are used, including project planning, sample collection, holding times, and
quality assurance.
4.3.1.b SW-846 Method Terms
Term
Explanation
Methods Proposed in
the Federal Register
New or revised methods that are proposed to be
incorporated in Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
(RCRA) regulations but have not been finalized; see Method
Defined Parameters.
Methods Incorporated
by Reference in RCRA
New or revised methods that have been incorporated by
reference in Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
regulations; see Method Defined Parameters.
Validated Methods
Methods that have been tested and validated by EPA and
independent laboratories, and have been through extensive
review by EPA, but have not been through the public
comment process or formally incorporated into SW-846. EPA
encourages the use of a validated method as the most
current version, where possible. While validated methods
may be added to SW-846 in the future, authorized states may
have regulatory restrictions regarding which version of a
method can be used.
Method-Defined Parameters (MDPs)
Method-defined Parameters (MDPs) are physical or chemical
properties of materials determined with specific methods
used to evaluate whether the materials comply with certain
RCRA Subtitle C regulations. Method-defined parameters can
only be determined by the methods prescribed in RCRA
regulations because the methods are part of the regulations.
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Method-Defined Parameters (MDPs)
These methods must be followed exactly as written, or the
resulting data cannot be used to ensure regulatory
compliance. A list of method-defined parameters may be
found at 40 CFR Section 260.11. SW-846 methods for MDPs
are published according to EPA's rulemaking process, which
includes public involvement through Federal Register notice
and comment, https://www.epa.gov/hw~sw846i/final~rule~
methods-innovation-rule-mir
Non-Regulatory Methods
SW-846 methods not required by the Resource Conservation
and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations to be used for
compliance purposes. All SW-846 methods are considered
guidance unless they are otherwise required by regulation
(see method-defined parameters above). Non-regulatory SW-
846 methods are published through a streamlined process
(21).
Published (or Final) Methods
New or revised SW-846 methods that have been formally
incorporated in the SW-846 Compendium after EPA has
completed all required process steps, including responding to
comments from the public. Once a method and the
associated response to comments document is published on
the SW-846 website, it has been fully incorporated into the
SW-846 compendium.
Revised Methods
Methods included in SW-846 that have been updated to
reflect changes from a previous version. Method revisions
can be significant or non-significant. Significant revisions are
those that broaden the method by adding to or changing the
process and/or quality assurance practices. Examples of
significant revisions include adding options for a sample
processing step or adding or changing a quality control
specification. Significant method revisions are designated as
such by appending or incrementing the letter at the end of
the method number. Minor/non-significant method revisions
are editorial in nature or are otherwise minor and do not
affect precision or bias. Examples of non-significant revisions
include adding new performance data or updating format of
an existing method. These method revisions are indicated by
issuing a new date for the same method number and letter.
Please note that previous versions of methods are not
precluded from being used provided that the users
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Method-Defined Parameters (MDPs)
demonstrate that it generates data that are appropriate for
the intended use.
Draft Methods
New methods that are being evaluated for possible inclusion
into SW-846. They represent the latest technological
advancements in scientific methodology, but they have not
completed technical review by EPA, nor have they been
subject to public comment.
Superseded Methods
Superseded methods are earlier versions of SW-846 methods
or other guidance that are no longer included in the SW-846
compendium because they have been replaced by newer
versions. Revised versions of superseded methods should be
viewed as the preferred method. Methods in this category
are removed from the compendium but remain available on-
line and are not precluded from use where required for
existing projects or where an adequate justification for use
exists. The term "Superseded" is documented in the method
title as listed on EPA Web site for prior versions of final
methods followed by the date it was superseded.
Withdrawn Methods
Withdrawn methods or other guidance are versions that EPA
strongly recommends not be used (e.g., cyanide and sulfide
reactivity guidance withdrawn on June 14, 2005). EPA has
determined that such procedures or methods, for the use or
technical objectives for which they were originally published,
are technically inadequate and/or no longer meet such use or
technical objectives. This does not mean, however, that there
would be no situations under which the procedures or
methods may be appropriate. In any situation in which a
person may believe that the withdrawn method is
appropriate, we strongly encourage consultation with
applicable regulatory agencies at the state or federal level.
The prospective user of the method will need to demonstrate
the withdrawn method is appropriate. Any use of these
methods, without any such consultation and demonstration,
will be done at the user's risk.
4.3.2 Contract Laboratory Program
The Contract Laboratory Program (CLP) supports EPA's Superfund program created under the 1980
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) and the 1986
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Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (SARA). The Superfund CLP's primary service is the
provision of analytical data of known and documented quality to support the 10 EPA Regional Offices in
their Superfund activities through national contracts. For additional information, please refer to EPA's
CLP internet page at https://www.epa.gov/clp.
4.3.2.a Contract Laboratory Program Naming Convention
Superfund analytical contract Statements of Work are named relative to their intended purpose and
incremented with each revision. Current analytical Statements of Work can be found on EPA's CLP
website at https://www.epa.gov/clp.
4.3.2.b Contract Laboratory Program Method Terms
Term
Explanation
Superfund CLP Statements of Work
Superfund analytical contract documents that contain
promulgated and published analytical methods with
enhanced quality control requirements used for Superfund
sample analysis under the Contract Laboratory Program
(CLP).
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4.4 Office of Water Programs
The Office of Water (OW) ensures drinking water is safe, and restores and maintains oceans,
watersheds, and their aquatic ecosystems to protect human health, support economic and recreational
activities, and provide healthy habitat for fish, plants, and wildlife. This office oversees the
implementation of the following statutes: the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act.
4.4.1 Safe Drinking Water Act
The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was established in 1974 to assure that water supply systems
serving the public meet minimum national standards for protection of public health (30). Pursuant to
SDWA and its subsequent amendments, EPA promulgates National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
(NPDWRs, 40 CFR Part 141), the enforceable health standards for regulated contaminants in drinking
water, https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/drinking-water-regulations-and-contaminants. Under the SDWA
program, EPA relies on analytical methods in two primary ways: 1) Drinking water compliance
monitoring - as part of NPDWRs, EPA establishes analytical requirements for routinely monitoring
regulated contaminants in drinking water, and 2) Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) -
in its UCMR rulemaking, EPA establishes requirements for public water systems to monitor unregulated
contaminants in drinking water. In both instances, analytical methods are specifically identified to
measure contaminant concentrations for their respective drinking water application. For additional
information, please refer to the approved drinking water methods internet page at
https://www.epa.gov/dwanalyticalmethods.
4.4.1.a Safe Drinking Water Act Methods Naming Convention
Generally, EPA-developed drinking water chemistry methods are assigned a three-digit method number:
100-400 series methods are applied to inorganic analyses, 500-series methods apply to organic analyses,
and 900-series methods apply to radiochemical analyses. EPA microbiological methods most commonly
are assigned a 1600-series designation and may also be developed by or in cooperation with Clean
Water Act (CWA) programs. Drinking water methods developed outside of EPA but used for EPA
purposes do not have a specific naming convention, but the developers are typically asked to provide a
short method name (often numerical) to use for regulatory referencing.
4.4.l.b Safe Drinking Water Method Terms
Term
Explanation
Alternate Test Procedure (ATP)
Under the Alternate Test Procedures program, methods
developed outside of EPA are evaluated and may
subsequently be approved for analysis of one or more
regulated contaminants as alternatives to those methods that
are promulgated in the regulations. The OW organizations
responsible for drinking water and wastewater have separate
Alternate Test Procedure programs that evaluate methods
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Alternate Test Procedure (ATP)
according to the requirements needed to support their
programs.
Promulgated Method
Promulgated NPDWRs specify the methods that must be used
to confirm compliance with regulatory requirements (such as
maximum contaminant limits for drinking water
contaminants). These methods are generally "incorporated
by reference" into the promulgated rules that are published
in the Federal Register (e.g., as an NPDWR or a "method
update rule").
Approved Method for
Regulated Contaminants
Regulated-contaminant methods approved by EPA are
authorized for drinking water (DW) compliance monitoring.
These methods are first addressed via Federal Register, and
then codified in the Code of Federal Regulations at 40 CFR
Part 141 (within the body of particular regulations and in
Appendix A to Subpart C).
Other methods approved by EPA to
support required monitoring for
unregulated contaminants
SDWA 1996 Amendments specified establishment of
monitoring for unregulated contaminants that may be
present in drinking water. EPA promulgates the Unregulated
Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) and specifies the use
of particular methods to meet the statutory requirement.
EPA Published Method
A final, validated, peer-reviewed method that EPA has
published. These methods may ultimately be specified and
approved to support NPDWR or UCMR monitoring but the
publication of a method, in and of itself, does not constitute
approval for a particular purpose. Such approval is enacted
through the aforementioned Federal Register notices and
subsequent publication of the Code of Federal Regulations.
EPA Draft Method
EPA's draft methods are generally single-lab validated and are
still going through multi-lab secondary validation, peer
review, and final clearance. Draft methods may be made
available to parties on an as-needed basis (e.g., those
assisting in the validation/peer review process). EPA methods
are not considered for NPDWR or UCMR monitoring until
published as final.
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Per SDWA section 1401(1), after the establishment of the
original method requirements via an NPDWR promulgation,
equally effective alternate methods may be approved by EPA
to support NPDWR compliance monitoring through
publication of a Federal Register notice. Under the
"expedited method approval process," Appendix A to Subpart
C of 40 CFR Part 141 was established as a repository for such
methods.
4.4.2 Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act (CWA) establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into
the waters of the United States and regulating quality standards for surface waters. Under the CWA, EPA
has implemented pollution control programs such as setting wastewater standards for industry. EPA has
also developed national water quality criteria recommendations for pollutants in surface waters (22).
EPA Office of Water (OW) Engineering and Analysis Division publishes laboratory analytical methods
(test procedures) that are used by industries and municipalities to analyze the chemical, physical and
biological components of wastewater and other environmental samples required by the Clean Water
Act. https://www.epa.gov/cwa-methods.
In addition to developing and approving methods for use in compliance monitoring, EPA may develop
methods to support studies of specific industries (e.g., the Effluent Guidelines program) or for use in
broad national surveys. If such studies or surveys lead to regulatory limits of new contaminants, EPA
approves the applicable methods for nationwide or industry-specific use through rulemaking which
includes an opportunity for public comment. For additional information, please refer to the Clean Water
Act analytical methods internet page at https://www.epa.gov/cwa-methods.
4.4.2.a Clean Water Act Methods Naming Convention
The analytical methods promulgated under Clean Water Act section 304(h) are sometimes referred to as
the "304(h)" or "Part 136" methods. The methods measure chemical and biological pollutants in media,
such as wastewater, ambient water, sediment, and biosolids (sewage sludge).
4.4.2. b Clean Water Act Method Terms
Term
Explanation
Determinative Technique
Determinative technique refers to the analytical methodology
employed for quantitatively measuring a contaminant (e.g.,
mass spectrometry or UV detection).
Alternate Test Procedures
The Clean Water Act Alternate Test Procedure (ATP) program
is described at 40 CFR 136.4 and 136.5. This program
provides a mechanism for submission and review of an
application for nationwide use or limited use of an ATP for
measurement of a pollutant as an alternative to the methods
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Alternate Test Procedures
approved at 40 CFR Part 136. An ATP may fall into one of two
categories:
1. A method using a determinative technique (e.g., a
pollutant detector) different from that in an existing Part
136 method (for method validation and evaluation
purposes this type of method is referred to as a new
method), or
2. A modification to a Part 136 method that falls outside the
scope of the modification flexibility described in the Part
136 method, or at 40 CFR 136.6 (for validation and
evaluation purposes this type of method is referred to as
an ATP).
Promulgated
Methods are promulgated in regulations to confirm
compliance with regulatory requirements. Promulgation
means the methods are made public by publishing them in
the Federal Register as part of a rule (whether an industrial
effluent guideline or a method update rule).
Approved Industry-Specific Methods
Industry-specific methods were developed to work in
samples or for pollutants specific to certain industrial
categories. For example, methods specific to the
Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and Pesticide Chemicals
Effluent Guidelines categories are listed in Tables l-F and l-G,
respectively, at 40 CFR Part 136.
Methods specific to other industrial categories are listed or
incorporated by reference into the regulations at 40 CFR
Parts 401 through 503. These include methods specific to the
Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard category (40 CFR Part 430), and
specific to Use or Disposal of Sewage Sludge (biosolids) (40
CFR Part 503). Industry-specific methods that are approved
for compliance monitoring in the industry for which they are
designated may be used for general use, if the same method
is listed in Tables l-Ato l-E, or l-H at 40 CFR 136.3.
Approved CWA Methods
CWA approved methods for wastewater monitoring are listed
at 40 CFR Part 136. Approved methods are used for CWA
compliance monitoring when required by the permit or
permitting authority. These methods are sometimes referred
to as "wastewater", "Part 136", or "304(h)" methods. Some
approved methods may also be found at 40 CFR Parts 401
through 503 (Effluent Guidelines and Biosolids regulations).
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Other CWA Methods
Optional methods for analyzing wastewater, ambient water
and biosolids (not approved under 40 CFR Part 136). Although
the chemical, microbiological and biosolids methods are not
in EPA regulations, they may be of interest to regulated
entities, permitting authorities, and the public. The presence
of a method on the CWA website does not imply a regulatory
requirement for its use. Other CWA Methods include both
draft and final methods.
EPA Published
Published methods include both the approved and "Other
CWA Methods." This means that EPA has written the method,
the method has an EPA document ID number, and is posted
on the CWA Methods website, (https://www.epa.gov/cwa-
methods)
EPA Draft Method
Draft methods may be posted on the CWA website as "Other
CWA Methods" after completion of at least a single-
laboratory validation. Draft methods are not approved for
CWA compliance monitoring until they have been proposed
and promulgated through rulemaking.
4.5 Office of Research and Development Programs
The Office of Research and Development (ORD) is the scientific research arm of EPA. Its leading-edge
research informs Agency decisions and supports the emerging needs of EPA stakeholders, including the
Agency's state, tribal, and community partners. EPA's Research and Development Laboratories are
responsible for conducting research, developing knowledge, assessments and scientific tools that
underpin decisions about EPA's protective standards, risk assessments, and risk management decisions.
For additional information, please refer to the regional laboratory internet page at
https://www.epa.gov/llalbs/office-ireseairch-and-devellopirnent-oird-llalboiratoiries.
The Research and Development Laboratories do not develop terminology to indicate the standing of a
method, and therefore use the terminology developed by the Program Laboratories.
4.6 Regional Programs
EPA's regional laboratories provide scientific data in support of decisions by the EPA Regional Office's
environmental programs, address the comprehensive needs of the regions, and inform immediate and
near-term decisions on environmental conditions, emergency response, compliance, and enforcement.
The Regional Laboratory Network applies scientific principles to support regulatory programs,
monitoring programs, and special projects. EPA has 10 regional laboratories. Individual regional
laboratories have specific capabilities and expertise due to unique geographic issues and needs. For
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additional information, please refer to the regional laboratory internet page at
https://www.epa.gov/labs/regional-laboratories.
The regional laboratories provide support for the Program Offices detailed above. As a result, the
terminology utilized in the regional laboratories to indicate the standing of a method is based on the
Program being supported. For example, when performing analytical work to support the Clean Water
Act, the terminology for the standing of the methods is the same as those described in the table above
for the Clean Water Act.
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5. Appendices
5.1 Appendix A: Index
This table provides page number information for each term within this document, organized by the
program to which the term is associated.
Term
Associated Program(s)
Page Number
Accepted Standardized Method
OCSPP Chemical Safety and Pesticide Prevention
Program
Page 12
Alternate Test Procedure (ATP)
OW Safe Drinking Water Program
OW Clean Water Program
Page 19
Page 22
Approved CWA Methods
OW Clean Water Program
Page 23
Approved Industry-Specific
Methods
OW Clean Water Program
Page 22
Approved Method (Regulated
Contaminants)
OW Safe Drinking Water Program
Page 19
Approved Standard Method
OCSPP Chemical Safety and Pesticide Prevention
Program
Page 13
Conditional Methods
OAR Stationary Source Program
Page 9
Determinative Technique
OW Clean Water Program
Page 21
Draft Method/Guidance
OCSPP Chemical Safety and Pesticide Prevention
Program
OLEM SW-846 Program
OW Safe Drinking Water Program
OW Clean Water Program
Page 14
Page 17
Page 20
Page 23
Expedited Method Approval
OW Safe Drinking Water Program
Page 21
Facility-specific Approved
Alternative Test Methods
OAR Stationary Source Program
Page 9
Federal Equivalent Methods
OAR Ambient Air Monitoring Program
Page 11
Federal Reference Methods
OAR Ambient Air Monitoring Program
Page 11
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Term
Associated Program(s)
Page Number
Final Method/Guidance
OCSPP Chemical Safety and Pesticide Prevention
Program
OLEM SW-846 Program
Page 13
Page 17
Interim Method/Guidance
OCSPP Chemical Safety and Pesticide Prevention
Program
Page 14
Method-Defined Parameters
(MDPs)
OLEM SW-846 Program
Page 16
Methods Incorporated by
Reference in RCRA
OLEM SW-846 Program
Page 15
Methods Promulgated in The
Federal Register
OAR Stationary Source Program
Page 8
Methods Proposed in the
Federal Register
OAR Stationary Source Program
OLEM SW-846 Program
Page 8
Page 15
Multiresidue Analytical
Methods
OCSPP Chemical Safety and Pesticide Prevention
Program
Page 13
New/Modified Method
OCSPP Chemical Safety and Pesticide Prevention
Program
Page 13
Non-Approved (analytical
methods developed by EPA for
analysis of unregulated
contaminants)
OW Safe Drinking Water Program
Page 20
Non-Regulatory Methods
OAR Ambient Air Monitoring Program
OLEM SW-846 Program
Page 11
Page 16
Other Methods
OAR Stationary Source Program
OCSPP Chemical Safety and Pesticide Prevention
Program
OW Safe Drinking Water Program
OW Clean Water Program
Page 9
Page 14
Page 20
Page 23
Product Label Enforcement
Method
OCSPP Chemical Safety and Pesticide Prevention
Program
Page 13
Promulgated Method
OW Safe Drinking Water Program
OW Clean Water Program
Page 19
Page 22
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Term
Associated Program(s)
Page Number
Published (or Final) Methods
OLEM SW-846 Program
OW Safe Drinking Water Program
OW Clean Water Program
Page 16
Page 20
Page 23
Recommended Method
OCSPP Chemical Safety and Pesticide Prevention
Program
Page 13
Residue Analytical Methods
OCSPP Chemical Safety and Pesticide Prevention
Program
Page 13
Revised Methods
OLEM SW-846 Program
Page 16
Source Category/Broadly
Approved Alternative Methods
OAR Stationary Source Program
Page 9
Superfund CLP Statement of
Work
OLEM Contract Laboratory Program
Page 18
Superseded Methods
OLEM SW-846 Program
Page 17
UCMR Program Approved
Method
OW Safe Drinking Water Program
Page 20
Validated Methods
OLEM SW-846 Program
Page 15
Withdrawn Methods
OLEM SW-846 Program
Page 17
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5.2 Appendix B: Acronyms
Acronym
Full Name
AA
Atomic Absorption
AMTIC
Ambient Monitoring Technology Information
Center
AOAC
Association of Official Analytical Collaboration
International
APHA
American Public Health Association
ASTM International
Formerly known as the "American Society for
Testing and Materials"
ATP
Alternate Test Procedure
AWWA
American Water Works Association
CAA
Clean Air Act
CAS
Chemical Abstract Service
CERCLA
Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act
CFR
Code of Federal Regulations
CLP
Contract Laboratory Program
CTM
Conditional Test Method
CWA
Clean Water Act
DW
Drinking Water
EMC
Air Emission Measurement Center
EMF
Environmental Methods Forum
EMMC
Environmental Monitoring Management Council
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency
FEM
Federal Equivalent Method
FEM
Forum on Environmental Measurements
FFDCA
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act
FIFRA
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide
Act
FR
Federal Register
FRM
Federal Reference Method
GC
Gas Chromatograph
ICP
Inductively Coupled Plasma
10
Inorganic
ISO
International Organization for Standardization
LEC
Laboratory Enterprise Council
MDPs
Method-defined Parameters
NAAQS
National Ambient Air Quality Standards
NPDWR
National Primary Drinking Water Regulations
OAR
Office of Air and Radiation
OCSPP
Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution
Prevention
OLEM
Office of Land and Emergency Management
OPP
Office of Pesticide Programs
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OPPT
Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics
ORCR
Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery
ORD
Office of Research and Development
OW
Office of Water
PPA
Pollution Prevention Act
QA
Quality Assurance
QC
Quality Control
RCRA
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
SARA
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
SDWA
Safe Drinking Water Act
SIP
State Implementation Plans
SOP
Standard Operating Procedure
TO
Toxic Organic
TSCA
Toxic Substances Control Act
TTR
Total Toxic Residue
UCMR
Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule
UV
Ultraviolet Index
VCSB
Voluntary Consensus Standards Bodies
VOC
Volatile Organic Compounds
WEF
Water Environment Federation
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4.3 Appendix C: Statutes
This section summarizes EPA's interpretation of the Statues that influence environmental analysis
method development.
1. Office of Air and Radiation (OAR)
i. Clean Air Act of 1970 (CAA): regulates air emissions from stationary and mobile sources.
This law authorized EPA to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to
protect public health and welfare from specified widespread pollutants as well as to
regulate emissions of hazardous air pollutants. The Act was amended in 1977 and 1990
primarily to set new goals (dates) for achieving attainment of the NAAQS since many areas
of the country had failed to meet the deadlines and to establish the use of technology-based
standards to control major and area sources of hazardous air pollutants (23).
2. Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention (OCSPP)
i. Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976 (TSCA): provides EPA with authority to require
reporting, record-keeping and testing requirements, and restrictions relating to chemical
substances and/or mixtures. Certain substances are generally excluded from TSCA,
including, among others, food, drugs, cosmetics and pesticides (24).
ii. Federal Insecticide. Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) provides for federal regulation of
pesticide distribution, sale, and use. All pesticides distributed or sold in the United States
must be registered (licensed) by EPA. Before EPA may register a pesticide under FIFRA, the
applicant must show, among other things, that using the pesticide according to
specifications "will not generally cause unreasonable adverse effects on the environment
(25)."
iii. Federal Food. Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FFDCA): authorized EPA to set tolerances, or
maximum residue limits, for pesticide residues on foods. In the absence of a tolerance for a
pesticide residue, a food containing such a residue is subject to seizure by the government.
Once a tolerance is established, the residue level in the tolerance is the trigger for
enforcement actions. That is, if residues are found above that level, the commodity will be
subject to seizure (26).
iv. Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 (PPA): focused industry, government, and public attention
on reducing the amount of pollution through cost-effective changes in production,
operation, and raw materials use. Opportunities for source reduction are often not realized
because of existing regulations, and the industrial resources required for compliance, focus
on treatment and disposal (27).
3. Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM)
i. The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA): governs the disposal of solid
and hazardous waste. Congress passed RCRA on October 21, 1976, to address the increasing
problems the nation faced from a growing volume of municipal and industrial waste.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Office of Resource
Conservation and Recovery (ORCR) provides analytical and sampling methods to
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assist the regulated and regulatory community and others in implementing the
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). These methods are published in
the Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods (SW-846)
and are available on the ORCR Web site
(www.epa.gov./epawaste/hazard/testmethods/index.htm). With the exception of
those particular methods which are promulgated in the regulations to implement
RCRA (see 40 CFR 260.11), the remaining methods are considered guidance, and
users may select any scientifically appropriate method when conducting analyses to
comply with the RCRA regulatory program (19).
SW-846 Compendium consists of three main partschapters, methods, and
supporting documents. Most methods are intended as guidance, except for method
defined parameters (MDPs) that are mandated by the RCRA regulations. The
chapters provide insight on how to successfully use the test methods (28).
ii. Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA),
or Superfund: established to clean up uncontrolled or abandoned hazardous-waste sites as
well as accidents, spills, and other emergency releases of pollutants and contaminants into
the environment (29).
iii. The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA): reauthorized CERCLA
to continue cleanup activities around the country. Several site-specific amendments,
definitions clarifications, and technical requirements were added to the legislation, including
additional enforcement authorities (30).
4. Office of Water (OW)
i. Safe Drinking Water Act of 1974 (SDWA): authorizes EPA to establish minimum standards to
protect the quality of drinking water in the U.S. and requires all owners or operators of
public water systems to comply with these primary (health-related) standards (31).
ii. Clean Water Act of 1972 (CWA): establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of
pollutants into the waters of the U.S. and regulating quality standards for surface waters.
Pursuant to the CWA, EPA developed national water quality criteria recommendations for
pollutants in surface waters (22).
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5.4 Appendix D: Environmental Monitoring Management Council (EMMC) Methods
Format
For full text of EMMC format, please visit https://www3.epa.gov/ttn/emc/guidlnd/gd-045.pdf.
1.0 Scope and Application
Use a tabular format whenever possible for:
Analyte list(s)
Chemical Abstract Service (CAS) numbers
Matrices
Method Sensitivity (expressed as mass and as concentration with a specific sample size)
Include a list of analytes (by common name) and their CAS registry numbers, the matrices to which
the method applies, a generic description of method sensitivity (expressed both as the mass of analyte
that can be quantified and as the concentration for a specific sample volume or size), and the data
quality objectives which the method is designed to meet. Much of this material may be presented in a
tabular format.
2.0 Summary of Method
Sample volume requirements
Extraction
Digestion
Concentration, and other preparation steps employed
Analytical instrumentation and detector system(s), and
Techniques used for quantitative determinations
Summarize the method in a few paragraphs. The purpose of the summary is to provide a succinct
overview of the technique to aid the reviewer or data user in evaluating the method and the data. List
sample volume, extraction, digestion, concentration, other preparation steps employed, the analytical
instrumentation and detector system(s), and the techniques used for quantitative determinations.
3.0 Definitions of Method
Include the definitions of all method-specific terms here. For extensive lists of definitions, this
section may simply refer to a glossary attached at the end of the method document.
4.0 Interferences
This section should discuss any known interferences, especially those that are specific to the
performance-based method. If known interferences in the reference method are not interferences in
the performance-based method, this should be clearly stated.
5.0 Safety
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Above and beyond good laboratory practices
Disclaimer statement (look at ASTM disclaimer)
Special precautions
Specific toxicity of target analytes or reagents
Not appropriate for general safety statements
This section should discuss only those safety issues specific to the method and beyond the scope of
routine laboratory practices. Target analytes or reagents that pose specific toxicity or safety issues
should be addressed in this section.
6.0 Equipment and Supplies
Use generic language wherever possible. However, for specific equipment such as GC (gas
chromatograph) columns, do not assume equivalency of equipment that was not specifically evaluated
and clearly state what equipment and supplies were tested.
7.0 Reagents and Standards
Provide sufficient details on the concentration and preparation of reagents and standards to allow
the work to be duplicated but avoid lengthy discussions of common procedures.
8.0 Sample Collection, Preservation and Storage
Provide information on sample collection, preservation, shipment, and storage conditions
Holding times, if evaluated
If effects of holding time were specifically evaluated, provide reference to relevant data, otherwise, do
not establish specific holding times.
9.0 Quality Control
Describe specific quality control steps, including such procedures as method blanks, laboratory
control samples, QC check samples, instrument checks, etc., defining all terms in Section 3.0. Include
frequencies for each such QC operation.
10.0 Calibration and Standardization
Discuss initial calibration procedures here. Indicate frequency of such calibrations, refer to
performance specifications, and indicate corrective actions that must be taken when performance
specifications are not met. This Section may also include procedures for calibration verification or
continuing calibration, or these steps may be included in Section 11.0.
11.0 Procedure
Provide a general description of the sample processing and instrumental analysis steps. Discuss
those steps that are essential to the process and avoid unnecessarily restrictive instructions.
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12.0 Data Analysis and Calculations
Describe qualitative and quantitative aspects of the method. List identification criteria used. Provide
equations used to derive final sample results from typical instrument data. Provide discussion of
estimating detection limits, if appropriate.
13.0 Method Performance
A precision/bias statement should be incorporated in the Section, including:
detection limits
source/limitations of data
Provide detailed description of method performance, including data on precision, bias, detection
limits (including the method by which they were determined and matrices to which they apply),
statistical procedures used to develop performance specification, etc. Where performance is tested
relative to the reference method, provide a side-by-side comparison of performance versus reference
method specifications.
14.0 Pollution Prevention
Describe aspects of this method that minimize or prevent pollution that may be attributable to the
reference method.
15.0 Waste Management
Cite how waste and samples are minimized and properly disposed.
16.0 References
Source documents
Publications
17.0 Tables, Diagrams, Flowcharts and Validation Data
Additional information may be presented at the end of the method. Lengthy tables may be included
here and referred to elsewhere in the text by number. Diagrams should only include new or unusual
equipment or aspects of the method.
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References
1. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. QA Glossary, 2016. Available from:
https://archive.epa.gov/emap/archive-emap/web/html/qa terms.htmll#mm.
2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Forum on Environmental Measurements (FEM) Glossary,
2017. Available from: https://19ianuarv2017snapshot.epa.gov/measurements/forum-environmental-
measurements-fern . htm I.
3. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants
for Source Categories, 1994. Available from: https://www.govinfo.gov/eontent/pkg/CIFB~2021~tiitlle40~
volll2/pdf/CIFR-2021-tiitll e40-volll2-pairt63.pdf.
4. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Learn About Drinking Water Analytical Methods, 2021.
Available from: https://www.epa.gov/dwanalvticalmethods/learn-about-drinking-water-analytical-
methods#how.
5. ASTM International. Form and Style for ASTM Standards, 2020. Available from:
https://vlbackup.astm.org/FormStvle for ASTM STDS.html.
6. International Standards Organization. Basic and General Concepts and Associated Terms (VIM),
2007. Available from: https://www.iso.Org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso-iec:guide:99:ed-l:v2:en.
7. American Public Health Association, American Water Works Association, Water Environment
Federation. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 1994. Available from:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0048969794903328.
8. AOAC International. Appendix K: Guidelines for Dietary Supplements and Botanicals, 2019.
Available from: http://www.eoma.aoac.org/app k.pdf.
9. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Guidance for Preparing Standard Operating Procedures
(SOPs), 2007. Available from: https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2015-06/documents/g6-final.pdf.
10. U.S. Government. Public Law 104-113 104th Congress, 2021. Available from:
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-104publll3/pdf/PLAW-104publll3.pdf.
11. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Summary of the National Technology Transfer and
Advancement Act, 2021. Available from: https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summarv-national-
technology-transfer-and-advancement-act.
12. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Federal Register, Vol. 83, No. 220, 2018. Available from:
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-21 jdf/2018-24747.pdf.
13. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Laws and Regulations for the EPA United States, 2023.
Available from: https://www.epa.gOv/laws-regulations/regulations#cfr.
14. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Basics of the Regulatory Process, 2021. Available
from: https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/basics-regulatorv-process.
15. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. About EPA Dockets, 2021. Available from:
https://www.epa.gov/dockets/about-epa-dockets.
16. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Summary of the Administrative Procedure Act, 2021.
Available from: https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summarv-administrative-procedure-act.
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17. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Streamlined Procedure for Publishing Non-Regulatory
SW-846 Methods, 2016. Available from: https://www.epa.gov/hw-sw846/streamlined-procedure-
publishing-non-regulatorv-sw-846-methods.
18. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Air Monitoring Methods, 2022. Available from:
https://www.epa.gov/airntic/airntic-air-irnonitoiring-irnethods.
19. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. US EPA Office of Solid Waste and Emergency
Response/Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery Policy on the Use of "Test Methods for
Evaluating Solid Waste, Physical/Chemical Methods" (SW-846), 2015. Available from:
https://www.epa.gov/sites/defaullt/filles/2015-10/docuirHents/pollicv-stateirHent-fedeirall-iregisteir.pdf.
20. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Part 503 - Standards for the Use or Disposal of Sewage
Sludge, 1993. Available from: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-40/chapter-l/subchapter-0/part-503.
21. U.S. Government. Notice of New Streamlined Approval Process for Non-Regulatory Methods in
SW-846, 2016. Available from: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/09/27/2Q16-
23299/notice-of-new-streamlined-approval-process-for-non-regulatory-methods-in-sw-846.
22. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Summary of the Clean Water Act, 2021. Available from:
https://www.epa.gov/llaws-iregullations/suirHirHairv-cllean-wateir-act.
23. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Summary of the Clean Air Act, 2021. Available from:
https://www.epa.gov/llaws-iregullations/suirHirHairv-cllean-aiir-act.
24. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Summary of the Toxic Substances Control Act, 2020.
Available from: https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-toxic-substances-control-act.
25. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Summary of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and
Rodenticide Act, 2021. Available from: https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summarv-federal-
insecticide-fungicide-and-rodenticide-act.
26. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Summary of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act,
2021. Available from: https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summarv-federal-food-drug-and-cosmetic-
act.
27. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Summary of the Pollution Prevention Act, 2021. Available
from: https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summarv-pollution-prevention-act.
28. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The SW-846 Compendium, 2021. Available from:
https://www.epa.gov/lhw-sw846/sw-846-coirnpendiuirH.
29. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Summary of the Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (Superfund), 2022. Available from:
https://www.epa.gov/llaws-iregullatiions/suirTiirHairv-coirHpirehensiive-enviiironirHentall-iresponse-
co m pe n sat iio n -a n d -I iia lb ii I iity-a ct.
30. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
(SARA), 2022. Available from: https://www.epa.gov/superfund/superfund-amendments-and-
ireauthoiriizatiion-act-saira.
31. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Summary of the Safe Drinking Water Act, 2021. Available
from: https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-safe-drinking-water-act.
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