| (a) Issuance and renewal. The Commission may issue
or renew accreditation under this section.
(b) Application. An applicant for full Commission accreditation
shall complete and submit to the Commission a current Laboratory Accreditation
Form and attach copies of the following:
(1) an accreditation certificate and letter of notification
of accreditation from a recognized accrediting body; and
(2) each document provided by the recognized accrediting
body that identifies the discipline or category of analysis for which
the laboratory has received accreditation and any limitation or restriction
regarding that accreditation.
(c) Additional information. The Commission may require
additional information to properly evaluate the application either
as part of the original application or as supplemental information.
(d) Reports to the Commission.
(1) If accredited by ANAB, a laboratory shall provide
the Commission with a copy of each Annual Accreditation Review Report.
If accredited by another recognized accrediting body, a laboratory
shall provide the Commission with a copy of each equivalent annual
accreditation assessment document. The copy shall be submitted to
the Commission at the same time that it is due to the recognized accrediting
body.
(2) A laboratory shall provide the Commission with
a copy of correspondence and each report or communication between
the laboratory and the recognized accrediting body. The laboratory
shall submit the copy to the Commission no later than 30 days after
the date the laboratory receives or transmits the correspondence,
report, or communication.
(3) A laboratory that discontinues a specific forensic
discipline or category of analysis:
(A) if known beforehand, should submit written notification
to the Commission at least 30 days before the effective date of the
discontinuation; or
(B) if unknown beforehand, shall submit written notification
to the Commission at least 5 business days after the effective date
of the discontinuation.
(e) Federal forensic laboratories. A federal forensic
laboratory is deemed to be accredited by the Commission without application
provided that the laboratory is accredited by a recognized accrediting
body as provided under §651.4 of this subchapter (relating to
List of Recognized Accrediting Bodies). A laboratory deemed accredited
is not subject to the reporting requirements of this subchapter or
the processes provided under Subchapter B of this chapter (relating
to Complaints, Special Review, and Administrative Action).
|
| Source Note: The provisions of this §651.8 adopted to be effective June 1, 2010, 35 TexReg 4438; transferred effective September 1, 2015, as published in the Texas Register July 31, 2015, 40 TexReg 4907; amended to be effective December 24, 2015, 40 TexReg 9305; amended to be effective October 8, 2017, 42 TexReg 5489 |
