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News Release

For immediate release
July 25, 2003

MILESTONE AGREEMENT REACHED ON ACCREDITATION OF
DRINKING WATER LABORATORIES

TORONTO - Today, Environment Minister Jim Wilson announced that the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and the Canadian Association for Environmental Analytical Laboratories (CAEAL) have signed an agreement with the Ontario government on the accreditation of drinking water testing laboratories in the province.

“The Safe Drinking Water Act, passed by the Ernie Eves government in 2002, made accreditation and licensing of drinking-water testing laboratories mandatory,” said Wilson. “This initiative, along with the recent passage of a regulation mandating laboratory licensing, a first in Canada, ensures there are strict standards in place for those who test Ontario’s drinking water.”

While accreditation has been a requirement for drinking water testing in Ontario since September 2000, this agreement formalizes the process and the responsibilities of all parties. The agreement also ensures that drinking water systems will have timely access to audit information collected as part of the accreditation process, and to timely updates on disqualified laboratories.

The Standards Council of Canada is a Crown corporation that promotes efficient and effective voluntary standardization in Canada. CAEAL has been Canada’s recognized authority on assessing the technical proficiency of environmental laboratories since 1989. Through its partnership with the SCC, CAEAL will continue to assess a laboratory’s competency to carry out drinking water tests.

“The SCC and CAEAL are delighted to be partners with the Ontario government,” said Peter Clark, SCC executive director. “Our combined expertise in standards, quality management and proficiency testing will help ensure the safety of the province’s drinking water.” 

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