1.—(1) The local authority must ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, that the appropriate requirements are satisfied when—
(a)taking, handling, transporting and storing a sample required to be taken in accordance with this Schedule;
(b)analysing such a sample; or
(c)causing any such sample to be taken, handled, transported, stored or analysed.
(2) In this paragraph, “the appropriate requirements” means such of the following as are applicable—
(a)the sample is representative of the quality of the water at the time of sampling;
(b)the person taking a sample is subject to a system of quality control to an appropriate standard checked from time to time by a suitably accredited body;
(c)the sample is not contaminated when being taken;
(d)the sample is kept at such a temperature and in such conditions as secure that there is no material alteration of the concentration or value for the measurement or observation of which the sample is intended;
(e)the sample is analysed as soon as reasonably practicable after it has been taken—
(i)by, or under the supervision of, a person who is competent to perform that task; and
(ii)with the use of such equipment as is suitable for the purpose;
(f)the collection and transportation of samples, or measurements recorded by continuous monitoring must be subject to a system of quality control to an appropriate standard checked from time to time by a suitably accredited body.
(3) When undertaking the activity described in—
(a)sub-paragraph (1)(a), the local authority must demonstrate compliance with any of EN ISO/IEC 17024, EN ISO/EIC 17025, or another equivalent standard accepted at international level;
(b)sub-paragraph (1)(b), the local authority must demonstrate compliance with EN ISO/EIC 17025 or another equivalent standard accepted at international level.
(4) Implementation of the requirement in sub-paragraph (3)(a) may be delayed for a period of no more than 24 months beginning on the day on which these Regulations come into force.
(5) In this paragraph, “suitably accredited body” means any person accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service(1).
See S.I. 2009/3155 for the appointment of the United Kingdom Accreditation Service as the national accreditation body.