The existence of humankind is inextricably linked with the well being of nature and natural resources. The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF), since its establishment, has been actively engaged in the implementation of its various programmes and activities for protection, conservation and development of environment.

For effective implementation of environment protection programmes there is an inescapable need for an efficient and reliable institutional arrangement and facilities for survey, identification, quantification and systems for monitoring. In this context, the role of an environmental laboratory assumes paramount importance and significance especially for the assessment of the status of environment and its components and can facilitate effectively in prevention and control of pollution. The Ministry has been implementing a programme for recognition of environmental laboratories with the aim of increasing facilities for analysis of environmental samples

The extant guidelines (1994-95) for establishment and recognition of the laboratories have been revised and procedures streamlined. The revision had become necessary as the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 has been strengthened over the years with the enactments of various rules and notifications there under. Further, environmental standards have been formulated for various parameters in different industrial sectors The revised guidelines (2008) are a definite improvement in the content and the procedures for recognition of the environmental laboratories, which have been prepared by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in consultation and guidance of the MoEF.

The revised guidelines have been organized into 6 Chapters viz. (1) Introduction. (2) Environmental Laboratories- infrastructural Requirements, (3) Environmental Sample Handling, (4) Accreditation of Environmental Laboratories, (5) Quality Assurance and Quality Control in Environmental Laboratories and (6) Guidelines for Recognition of Laboratory under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Each Chapter in turn provides guidance on procedures, processes and requirements for recognition.

The information contained in the revised guidelines has been updated, collated and compiled by Sh. B.K. Jakhmola, Dr. C.S. Sharma and Dr. S.D. Makhijani of CPCB under the overall guidance of Sh. J.M. Mauskar, Chairman, CPCB and Dr. B. Sengupta, Member Secretary, CPCB

In this context, contributions made by Shri R.K. Vaish, Joint Secretary, Dr. N. Bhat, Advisor and Dr. M. Raina, Additional Director, Ministry of Environment and Forests were significant in devising harmonization of the relevant provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 and Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The guidelines are a response to the strategic policy initiatives and good governance in the implementation of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

I hope that the information and guidelines contained in these revised Guidelines will provide necessary assistance to the State Pollution Control Boards/Committees, the State Governments and all the concerned organizations in the domain of establishment, evaluation and recognition of environmental laboratories.

Meena Gupta