The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory-Las Vegas (EMSL-LV) is responsible for preparing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for auditing sampling and sample bank activities performed under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) as well as conducting field audits of these activities when they are performed by EPA and EPA contractors. Although SOPs for auditing analytical methods and laboratory practices have been developed, guidelines for conducting evaluations of sampling and sample bank activities are generally lacking. This SOP provides the Agency with such guidelines for evaluating and auditing sample collection and sample bank activities. The SOP provides audit personnel with a description of the components and organization of an audit program. Also discussed are administrative and procedural functions necessary to initiate, conduct and complete the audit and suggested qualifications and training requirements for audit personnel. The Appendix of the SOP provides checklists for use in conducting the audit. Checklists are presented for identifying and/or evaluating the use of proper sampling equipment and materials, sampling methodology, packaging, labeling and shipment of samples, quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) protocols, sampling plans and sampling personnel.

"EPA 600-4-85-003." "January 1985." Cover title. "Contract no. 68-03-3136." "Project officer, J. Gareth Pearson."