SECTION 218.5. Standards

(a) The requirements specified in §218.3 of this title (relating to Evaluation of Milk Laboratories) are minimum standards for a laboratory applying for or renewing accreditation or approval in Texas. These specifications are available online at http://www.dshs.texas.gov/milk and for review during normal business hours at the Milk and Dairy Unit, Department of State Health Services, 8407 Wall Street, Austin, Texas 78754.

(b) Each applicant laboratory will be evaluated, at a minimum on the following factors:

(1) milk testing procedure performance of staff;

(2) quality assurance plan;

(3) manuals of procedures;

(4) performance on split samples;

(5) equipment;

(6) calibrations and standards;

(7) methodology;

(8) facilities;

(9) sample acceptance policies;

(10) sample tracking;

(11) record keeping;

(12) reporting; and

(13) interpretation of results.

(c) A laboratory must meet all minimum standards, pass annual split samples, and pass an onsite inspection at least biennially to be accredited or approved.

Source Note: The provisions of this §218.5 adopted to be effective December 22, 2020, 45 TexReg 9214