TRC is excited to announce that it has renewed third party accreditation of our Quality Management System (QMS) in accordance with ASTM D7036:2004 Standard Practice for Competence of Air Emission Testing Bodies (AETBs) for the fifth time. This global consensus standard defines the criteria for a QMS under which AETBs should operate to consistently generate emission testing data of documented quality. Accreditation to this standard is provided jointly by American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) and the Stack Testing Accreditation Council (STAC).
TRC has been a leader in this program since before it became a requirement of 40 CFR Part 75 (40CFR75), Appendix A on March 27, 2012. We received interim accreditation of our QMS through STAC in February 2011, and we were the first to be fully accredited by STAC/A2LA in April 2015. Since then, TRC has consistently and successfully renewed our accreditation in April 2017, April 2019 and most recently in April 2021.
A2LA manages the QMS accreditation process, which consists of three steps:
- The application is submitted and reviewed STAC/A2LA experienced auditing staff.
- A structural assessment is performed by their auditors to determine whether all the elements required by the standard are in place.
- A functional assessment is performed by these third-party auditors to determine whether the AETB truly operates in accordance with its quality management system.
AETBs that conduct Relative Accuracy Test Audits (RATAs) under 40CFR75 must operate in accordance with this standard, but they have the option to “open their books” and be truly audited by third-party review, or simply to self-declare their conformance. TRC believes that a rigorous quality standard should apply to all emission testing data and voluntarily accepts third-party review for all the tests we conduct, not just those required under 40CFR75.
Of the more than 200 firms that purport to conduct emission testing, only eleven have recognized the benefit, and made the investment, to obtain transparent, third-party accreditation to ASTM D7036.
Why Does This Matter?
A quality management system that has been third-party accredited for over 10 years provides TRC’s clients with emission testing results that are of defined and documented quality. The QMS specified in ASTM D7036 requires processes and procedures that create operational consistency, drive continuous improvement, integrate employee involvement and establishes a platform for data-driven decision making.
Our commitment to the transparency inherent in the third-party process leads to reliable, accurate, consistent and reproducible results. Since the current emphasis on Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) points towards increasing regulatory scrutiny, ensuring accurate and reliable emission test data is more important than ever. The cost of a high-quality emission test pales in comparison to the short- and long-term impacts of dealing with regulatory violations or non-compliance liabilities due to a poorly-performed test, and the TRC team prides themselves on providing clients with results they can trust.
Jeff Burdette, Senior Vice-President and National Air Services Practice Leader provides this note of congratulations to the team for their year over year dedication and hard work in maintaining an effective a quality management system. “TRC’s re-accreditation is due to the outstanding performance of our air emissions testing staff to rigorously adhere to our quality standards and to drive continuous program improvements in order to yield results our clients can trust”.
Want to Learn More?
TRC’s Air Quality team of expert scientists and engineers develop and execute solutions to achieve regulatory compliance, manage business risks and improve operational performance. Our fully integrated suite of services includes air quality consulting, dispersion modeling, pollution control engineering, ambient air monitoring and source testing.
We deliver consistent value by utilizing our nationwide presence with offices in 30 states, extensive state-of-the-art monitoring equipment, over 250 skilled professionals and an accredited quality management system to deliver full life-cycle solutions from design, permitting, equipment commissioning, through operations.
Related Materials
A2LA Certificate of Accreditation
A2LA Certificate of Accreditation Published July 28, 2021
Sharing Our Perspectives
Our practitioners share their insights and perspectives on the trends and challenges shaping the market.
EPA Signs New Rule Affecting Air Emissions from Stationary Combustion Turbines
September 16, 2024
EPA finalized the residual risk and technology review (RTR) of the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Stationary Combustion Turbines.
EPA Proposes New Guidance on Air Quality Analysis for Permits
January 5, 2024
On October 23, 2023, the US EPA proposed changes to the Guideline on Air Quality Models and the US EPA model AERMOD
Modeling of Fogging and Icing Events
December 14, 2023
In recent years, various agencies across the country have become committed to understanding the impacts of fog generated by cooling systems. At first glance, fog created by cooling towers may not appear to be a significant problem, however, it can have adverse effects on the public. Fog can impair visibility for people driving on roads and if temperatures are below freezing, fog can cause the formation of rime ice on surfaces. To understand the consequences of fog created by these cooling systems, experts have devised advanced modeling techniques.
EPA Issues Information Collection Request for Plywood and Composite Wood Products Source Operators
March 17, 2022
EPA issued an Information Collection Request (ICR) to develop new emission standards for inclusion in the Plywood and Composite Wood Products (PCWP) National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP).
EPA Lifts Stay of Standards for New Lean Premix and Diffusion Flame Gas-fired Combustion Turbines
March 14, 2022
The EPA Administration signed a notice to finalize amendments to the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Stationary Combustion Turbines
TRC Acquires United Sciences Testing, Inc., Expanding Air Management Capabilities
February 23, 2022
TRC Companies (“TRC”), announced the expansion of its Air Management capabilities with the acquisition of United Sciences Testing, Inc. (USTI), who provides emissions testing services to utility and industrial clients within the Great Lakes and Midwest regions of the US.
Air Emissions Permitting: What Analytical Laboratories Need to Know About Compliance
December 18, 2021
The independent testing of liquid and solid samples is a critical way that businesses demonstrate regulatory compliance. The laboratories that perform these analyses are also subject to environmental rules and should closely track their operations to ensure they are meeting compliance obligations.
EPA Proposes Changes to Methane Control at Petroleum Operations
November 10, 2021
New Source Performance Standard for Methane Control at Petroleum Operations in 2022
PFAS Air Emissions Standards and Trends for Summer 2021
August 17, 2021
Environmental impacts of PFAS in ambient air leads to states implementing PFAS air-related thresholds.
Managing EHS & ESG Risks Through Integrated Systems Today and Beyond
July 22, 2021
It has been more than 50 years since the development and establishment of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) which were formed to protect our environment and workplaces across the United States. Significant laws, policies and regulations followed to establish the “regulatory programs” that all applicable businesses and entities must address and meet to ensure these compliance-driven legislative programs would create a foundation to protect our society.
EPA Proposes New Emissions Limits for Combustion Turbines
May 22, 2021
After 15 years of legal limbo, combustion turbines could be facing new emissions standards under a proposal introduced by the EPA.
EPA Ramps Up Inspections and Enforcement Actions
May 14, 2021
EPA’s acting enforcement chief, Larry Starfield, directs agents to ramp up inspections in communities known to be afflicted by pollution
South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 2305: Warehouse Indirect Source Rule
April 7, 2021
The rule is intended to reduce local and regional emissions of NOx and diesel particulate matter (PM).
EPA Finalizes Reversal of “Once In Always In” Air Pollution Policy
November 18, 2020
On October 1, 2020, the EPA finalized a ruling that no longer enforces the “once in, always in” air emissions policy.
TRC Awarded a Yahara WINS Grant
August 28, 2020
TRC was recently awarded a Yahara WINS grant to develop a pilot scale simple aeration method for removing phosphorous from the discharge of manure digesters. The grant application was developed and submitted by: Bob Stanforth, Alyssa Sellwood, Mike Ursin, Ted O’Connell, Ken Quinn, and John Rice, who are members of multiple TRC CORE teams.
New York State Finalizes Emission Limits for Power Generators
January 21, 2020
On January 16, 2020, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) finalized a rulemaking limiting nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from existing simple cycle and regenerative peaking combustion turbines with a nameplate capacity of 15 megawatts (MW) or greater during the ozone season (May 1 – October 31).
New York State Proposes Emissions Limits for Power Generators
March 22, 2019
On February 27, 2019, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) released a proposed rulemaking limiting nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from existing simple cycle and regenerative peaking combustion turbines with a nameplate capacity of 15 megawatts (MW) or greater during the ozone season (May 1 – October 31).
PM2.5 Annual NAAQS Revised
May 7, 2024
The U.S. EPA issued a final rule based on its reconsideration of its 2020 decision to retain the primary and secondary National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for particulate matter (PM) without revision.
EPA Issues Regulations for Oil and Natural Gas Sector Tank Emissions
April 30, 2024
Storage Vessel or Tank Battery Operators Must Reduce Emissions by 95%.
EPA Proposes Rules for IRA-mandated Waste Emissions Charge for Methane
February 6, 2024
EPA proposed rules to implement the Waste Emissions Charge (WEC) program for facilities that exceed a waste emissions threshold
EPA Proposes New Guidance on Air Quality Analysis for Permits
January 5, 2024
On October 23, 2023, the US EPA proposed changes to the Guideline on Air Quality Models and the US EPA model AERMOD
Modeling of Fogging and Icing Events
December 14, 2023
In recent years, various agencies across the country have become committed to understanding the impacts of fog generated by cooling systems. At first glance, fog created by cooling towers may not appear to be a significant problem, however, it can have adverse effects on the public. Fog can impair visibility for people driving on roads and if temperatures are below freezing, fog can cause the formation of rime ice on surfaces. To understand the consequences of fog created by these cooling systems, experts have devised advanced modeling techniques.
EPA Proposes Regulation of Green House Gas Emissions
July 10, 2023
This article highlights the EPA’s proposed rules to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from power plants and the potential impact on new and existing fossil fuel-fired facilities.
TRC Acquires United Sciences Testing, Inc., Expanding Air Management Capabilities
February 23, 2022
TRC Companies (“TRC”), announced the expansion of its Air Management capabilities with the acquisition of United Sciences Testing, Inc. (USTI), who provides emissions testing services to utility and industrial clients within the Great Lakes and Midwest regions of the US.
EPA Adds First New Hazardous Air Pollutant Since 1990
January 14, 2022
EPA finalized a rule to add 1-bromopropane to the federal list of hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) on December 22, 2022.
Air Emissions Permitting: What Analytical Laboratories Need to Know About Compliance
December 18, 2021
The independent testing of liquid and solid samples is a critical way that businesses demonstrate regulatory compliance. The laboratories that perform these analyses are also subject to environmental rules and should closely track their operations to ensure they are meeting compliance obligations.
EPA Proposes Changes to Methane Control at Petroleum Operations
November 10, 2021
New Source Performance Standard for Methane Control at Petroleum Operations in 2022
PFAS Air Emissions Standards and Trends for Summer 2021
August 17, 2021
Environmental impacts of PFAS in ambient air leads to states implementing PFAS air-related thresholds.
Managing EHS & ESG Risks Through Integrated Systems Today and Beyond
July 22, 2021
It has been more than 50 years since the development and establishment of the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) which were formed to protect our environment and workplaces across the United States. Significant laws, policies and regulations followed to establish the “regulatory programs” that all applicable businesses and entities must address and meet to ensure these compliance-driven legislative programs would create a foundation to protect our society.
EPA Ramps Up Inspections and Enforcement Actions
May 14, 2021
EPA’s acting enforcement chief, Larry Starfield, directs agents to ramp up inspections in communities known to be afflicted by pollution
South Coast Air Quality Management District Rule 2305: Warehouse Indirect Source Rule
April 7, 2021
The rule is intended to reduce local and regional emissions of NOx and diesel particulate matter (PM).
EPA Clean Air Act Rulemaking Announced December 2020
December 31, 2020
EPA announces Clean Air Act Rulemaking in the final month of the current administration and indicates more could be announced before the new administration comes into office.
New Jersey’s Landmark Environmental Justice Law
November 24, 2020
What Is an Indoor Air Quality Assessment? An indoor air quality assessment involves identifying and addressing air quality issues within a facility to ensure a healthy and safe environment for occupants. The assessment process typically includes an initial inspection, laboratory testing for contaminants, and recommendations for improvements. LEED-certified buildings prioritize indoor air quality, adopting measures to maintain good IAQ throughout construction and occupancy. Contact Us
EPA Finalizes Reversal of “Once In Always In” Air Pollution Policy
November 18, 2020
On October 1, 2020, the EPA finalized a ruling that no longer enforces the “once in, always in” air emissions policy.
TRC Awarded a Yahara WINS Grant
August 28, 2020
TRC was recently awarded a Yahara WINS grant to develop a pilot scale simple aeration method for removing phosphorous from the discharge of manure digesters. The grant application was developed and submitted by: Bob Stanforth, Alyssa Sellwood, Mike Ursin, Ted O’Connell, Ken Quinn, and John Rice, who are members of multiple TRC CORE teams.
New York State Finalizes Emission Limits for Power Generators
January 21, 2020
On January 16, 2020, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) finalized a rulemaking limiting nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from existing simple cycle and regenerative peaking combustion turbines with a nameplate capacity of 15 megawatts (MW) or greater during the ozone season (May 1 – October 31).
