Administrative Order No. 2006-0024 I.
QUALITY MANUAL – Documents stating the quality policy
and describing the quality system and quality procedures
Rules and Regulations Governing the Accreditation of
intended for the overall planning and administration of
Laboratories for Drinking Water Analysis
activities, which affect the quality of laboratory services.
I. RATIONALE
J. Quality Policy – Statements of intentions or desires of the
PD 856 - also known as the Sanitation Code of the Philippines
organization with respect to management of their quality
mandates the DOH to accredit laboratories performing
system.
examination of drinking water in accordance with the
National Drinking Water Standards. K. SPECIMEN – collected drinking water sample submitted for
In 1979, A.O. No. 31 was issued - Requirements for the analysis to determine its potability and safety.
Accreditation of WAL implemented by the BRL -DOH
L. STANDARD METHOD – Methods of analysis as prescribed
E.O. no. 102 s. 1999 - re-directs the functions and operations
in the PNSDW and/or the Standard Method for the
of the DOH, transferred the regulatory functions of the BRL to
Examination of Water and Waste Water (joint action of the
the BHFS.
American Public Health Association (APHA), American
D.O. No. 393-Es.2000 - other technical functions of the BRL
Waterworks Association (AWWA), and Water Pollution
were distributed among the designated NRL
Control Federation (WPCF)).
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9275 M. WATER ANALYSIS – Testing procedure/s such as
known as the Philippines Clean Water Act of 2004 bacteriologic, biologic, physical, chemical, radiological,
- DOH responsible for the promulgation, revision and performed on a water sample.
enforcement of drinking water standards
- For this purpose, the BHFS - NRL- EOH/Toxicology, and MA - V. POLICIES AND GUIDELINES
tasked to evaluate and monitor the quality of services BHFS - exercise the regulatory function for t initial
rendered by the water testing lab. issuance of the COA
CHD - responsible for renewal of the Accreditation
II. OBJECTIVE NRL - conduct proficiency testing, confirmatory testing
- To protect public health, safety and welfare by ensuring the and training
accuracy, precision and reliability of results, generated by Laboratories shall no operate without a valid COA
drinking water testing laboratory through formulation and An accreditation shall be granted in accordance with the
enforcement of revised standards for accreditation. prescribed accreditation standard
BHFS/CHD - suspend or revoke the accreditation of a
III. SCOPE/ COVERAGE laboratory
DOH OFFICES – Covers the operation of Government The following acts shall be the causes of the suspension or
agencies; National and Local revocation of the accreditation
PRIVATE ENTITIES – Laboratories for academic training and - Issuance of fraudulent water testing results
research - Changes in the laboratory without informing the
BHFS/CHD
IV. DEFINITION OF TERMS - Refusal to allow survey or monitoring visits
A. ACCREDITATION – A formal authorization issued by the - Refusal to participate in the PT
DOH to an individual, partnership, corporation or association - Any materially false statement in the application
seeking to perform drinking water analysis in compliance with Submitted application that are not processed within 60
the requirements as prescribed in this Order. days shall be granted the COA
A Laboratory that is a unit/section/division of a CL shall no
B. APPLICANT – An individual, partnership, corporation or longer be required to secure a separate accreditation.
association seeking an accreditation to operate and maintain
a drinking water testing facility. LABORATORIES SHALL BE CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO:
Ownership:
C. BHFS – Acronym for the Bureau of Health Facilities and Government
Services of the DOH. It shall exercise the regulatory function Private
provided in this order. Institutional Character
Institution based
D. CHD – Acronym for the Centers for Health Development, Freestanding
the regional offices of the DOH Service Capability
E. DOH – acronym for the Department of Health Bacteriological analysis
Biological analysis
F. LABORATORY – refers to the Drinking Water Analysis Physical analysis
Laboratory. It is a facility that performs either bacteriological, Chemical analysis
biological, physical, chemical, and radiological analysis, or a Radiological analysis
combination of any of these methods, to determine the
potability and safety of water. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS
Physical Plant
G. NRL – refers tot the designated National Reference
Personnel
Laboratory for Environmental and Occupational Health,
Head of the WTL- movement training, at least 3 years’
Toxicology, and Micronutrient Assay.
experience in the theory and practice
H. PNSDW – Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water
Analyst - 2 years’ experience in the water testing
procedures VIII. SEPARABILITY/ REPEALING CLAUSE
Lab aide - must have a training, and at least 6 months
experience on clerical support and sampling IX. EFFECTIVITY
Equipment, Instrument, Reagents and Supplies
Analytical Method
Quality and Technical manual
Laboratory Reports
Laboratory Records
Quality Management
Equipment, Instrument, Reagents and Supplies
Analytical Method
Approval of the NRL
Quality and Technical manual
Quality manual
Policy manual
Technical manual
Laboratory Reports
must clearly state and reflect accurate test results,
names HOL, of the analyst, and the testing facility
Opinion, Interpretation, and reference must be stated
Lab reports shall be in the form prescribed by the
DOH
The results from the other accredited lab shall be
attached to the original lab results
Laboratory Records
lab request, sampling records, analytical reports and
quality control records
Personnel records, Equipment maintenance records
All lab records shall be retained for a minimum of 5
years
Quality Management
Quality assurance program
Conduct an internal quality audit at least every 6
months
QC Charts must be displaced in a conspicuous place in
the lab
QC information shall be available in the lab
CERTIFICATE OF ACCREDITATION
COA shall be reflect the parameters applied for in each
service area
COA is valid for 2 years
The BHFS shall be notified of any changes in
management
Failure to report may be basis for the
suspension/revocation the accreditation
Separate accreditation shall be required to all
laboratories or branches
The COA shall be placed in area readily seen by the
public
VI. PROCEDURAL GUIDELINES
• The applicant shall submit to the BHFS/CHD an
accomplished application and current PT result
• The applicant must pay a non-refundable fee
• BHFS/CHD representative reviews the application and
conducts an on-site survey
• Initial or renewal of the COA is granted upon compliance
of the accreditation requirements
VII. MONITORING
BHFS/CHD rep. may conduct unannounced, on site
visits
