The efforts to establish national environmental laboratory accreditation from 1990 through 1994 are summarized. Specific information is provided in response to the most frequently asked questions: Why is a national environmental laboratory accreditation program needed; What is national environmental laboratory accreditation; Will a national environmental laboratory accreditation program replace existing programs or just be an additional required program; Who will inspect and accredit all laboratories; Will EPA approve state and third-party accreditors; Will EPA require all states to participate in the national program; Will laboratory accreditation cover all environmental programs; How will small laboratories compete if they do not wish or are not capable or being accredited in all environmental programs; How much will accreditation cost; Can accreditation accommodate new technologies and changing methods; How will the standards for national environmental laboratory accreditation be developed; What is the status of national environmental laboratory accreditation; and How can one keep informed of future developments.