2026 Changes to sample reporting for Australian environmental laboratories

From 1 May 2026, where volume-based concentrations are required, analytical results can only be reported on NATA-endorsed Certificates of Analysis (COA) where sampling has been conducted under the relevant NATA accreditation. 

These requirements apply across all NATA-accredited laboratories, with ALS processes aligned ahead of implementation of the updated criteria. 

For most clients, there will be no change to testing processes, turnaround times or the availability of analytical results. Where required, ALS will work closely with clients to review sampling arrangements and confirm the most appropriate approach to meet reporting and compliance needs. 

These changes are intended to ensure that reported results remain compliant with national accreditation requirements and continue to support regulatory, contractual and due-diligence obligations. 

Changes to specific reporting requirements

Under the new Section 7.8.5 on specific reporting requirements for laboratories involved in air sampling and analysis, results may only be reported as concentrations (eg 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.

These changes apply to the updated version of the Specific Accreditation Criteria Application Document, a supplementary resource to the General Accreditation Criteria: ISO/IEC 17025 Standard Application Document (SAD), providing interpretative guidance for applying ISO/IEC 17025 within Life Sciences for accredited laboratories across Australia.

What this means for ALS reporting

ALS can no longer report non-accredited air volume or area-based air calculations on an endorsed report. The previous approach of reporting a raw 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 the ALS accreditation – NATA-endorsed COA will be provided
• Sampling conducted under client’s NATA accreditation – NATA-endorsed COA will be provided
• Sampling conducted without NATA accreditation – non-NATA-endorsed COA, including raw data, will be provided *

Examples of affected results

The following is a non-exhaustive list of results that may be impacted where sampling is not conducted under NATA accreditation:

Contact your ALS project manager to discuss how these changes may apply to your project.

Submitting samples

The previous approach of reporting a raw 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. 

Clients holding NATA accreditation should ensure ALS is informed of their accreditation status for each sampling event. When submitting samples, 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.

Sampling options

ALS provides accredited sampling services to support a range of air monitoring requirements, including:

• Asbestos air monitoring
• Ambient air monitoring
• High-volume air sampling
• Dust gauge sample collection.

We also support clients in selecting fit-for-purpose methods and understanding NATA accreditation requirements.

Get in touch with us

Confidence in air monitoring starts with getting the fundamentals right, supported by a partner you can trust. Our approach to volume measurement is aligned with accredited local and international frameworks, helping you meet regulatory expectations with clarity.

Contact your ALS project manager for more information about volume measurements in air. 

Water:

• Melbourne

Environmental:

• Brisbane
• Melbourne
• Perth
• Sydney
• New Zealand