Update to NATA Requirements for Concentration Reporting

Concentration Reporting of analytical results according to NATA updated Requirements

The latest update of the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) Specific Accreditation Criteria: ISO/IEC 17025 Application Document for Life Sciences requires laboratories undertaking analysis of environmental samples with air volume or surface area measurement to report analytical results on NATA-endorsed laboratory analytical report where sampling has only been conducted under the relevant NATA accreditation.

From 1 May 2026, where air volume or surface area based concentrations are required, analytical results can only be reported on NATA-endorsed laboratory analytical report where sampling has been conducted under the relevant NATA accreditation.

NATA now require that a facility which does not hold accreditation for measurement of air volume must not make any claim implying that accreditation is held for such an activity.

Volume measurement of sampled air and reporting raw counts

Where a facility is not responsible for the collection of air samples, and/or receives samples from a non-accredited customer where a volume measurement is required, results must be reported as a raw count (e.g., fibres/100 fields, mass of analyte on a filter, etc.). The calculation of a concentration cannot be assured because the volume of air collected, and the process of collection, is not covered by the scope of accreditation. This applies to volume measurements made for the purposes of testing and reporting concentrations for, but not limited to, asbestos, mould, respirable crystalline silica testing (RCS), dust and any other analytes for which a volume of air is sampled.

Surface (swab) sampling

Unless the facility is accredited for, and undertakes, swab sampling, results must only be reported as mass per swab (e.g. mg or μg per swab).

Measurement uncertainty

Measurement uncertainty (MU) must be reported for all quantitative results (including chemical, biological, and physical determinations) at or above the limit of quantification (LOQ), in accordance with the method and NATA accreditation criteria.

Volume measurement

Where a facility is accredited only for volume measurement, the following information must be reported by the entity responsible for the sampling to the facility undertaking the analytical work:

• the name of the person(s) who undertook the sampling activity
• start and finish times for the equipment (e.g., pump, sampling train, etc.) used to collect the sample(s);
• initial and final flow rates of the equipment used to collect the sample(s);
• calculated volume(s) of air sampled; and
• measurement uncertainty for the volume(s) of air sampled.
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Reporting as a concentration

Results can only be reported as a concentration (e.g., fibres/mL, spores/m³, mg/m³) under the following circumstances:

• the facility is accredited for the relevant determinant concentration and has collected and analysed the samples;
• the facility is accredited for the relevant determinant concentration and receives samples from another facility which is accredited for volume measurement that has collected the samples (these data may be endorsed with a note identifying the collecting facility); or
• the facility is accredited for the relevant determinant concentration and receives samples from an external party that it has appropriately supervised. Where this has occurred, relevant records must be retained including for supervision, training and competency, and equipment assurance of the external party.
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Reporting samples from unsupervised/non-accredited external parties

Where a facility is accredited for a specific contaminant concentration and receives samples collected by an external party with no relationship to the accredited facility, results cannot be reported as a concentration or include reference to volume. Results must be reported as follows:

• asbestos: ‘x’ fibres counted on ‘y’ filter fields;
• mould: ‘x’ spores counted on ‘y’ traverse or percentage of deposit;
• RCS/dust: ‘x’ mg of mass collected.

Note: “No relationship” refers to situations where there is no supervisory, contractual, or competency-link between the accredited facility and the sampler.

SESALAB Reporting

Since SESALAB accreditation for mould analysis, analytical results were reported as concentrations spores/m³ or Cts/m³ based on the supplied sample air volume by the customer. SESALAB reports always noted that the reported air concentrations are not covered by NATA accreditation.

SESALAB can no longer report non-accredited air volume or area-based air calculations on NATA-endorsed laboratory analytical report. The previous approach of reporting a raw count or amount alongside calculated concentration, accompanied by a disclaimer noting the concentration falls outside the facility’s scope of accreditation, no longer meets the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation or the updated NATA criteria.

The following processes now apply:

• Sampling conducted under SESALAB accreditation – NATA-endorsed laboratory analytical report will be provided
• Sampling conducted under customer’s NATA accreditation – NATA-endorsed laboratory analytical report will be provided
• Sampling conducted without NATA accreditation – NATA-endorsed laboratory analytical report will be provided, including raw data only.

Raw data will be also delivered electronically for customer review.

Example for calculating fungal spores per cubic meter

For each spore category (or particulate):

Calculations example to be used at user’s own scope and discretion.

Submitting samples

An updated chain of custody (COC) form has been issued for use by customers. The COC has options to be selected for samples submitted where the volume measurement is non-accredited (QMS-R-025A-CoC-DME V1), accredited or supervised (QMS-R-025A-CoC-Mould V2).

For accredited and supervised volume measurements, sampling sheets must include:

• Start and finish times for all sampling equipment
• Initial and final flow rates of all sampling equipment
• Calculated volumes of air samples
• Measurement uncertainty of air samples.
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Additional information and assistance can be provided by contacting SESALAB on +61 2 9822 8406 or email info@sesa.com.au.