The Analytical Chemistry Laboratories (ACL) conducts chemical analysis and chemical process development in support of research and development work for government and commercial clients in the Canadian nuclear industry. The ACL primarily performs inorganic chemical analysis of radioactive samples, but can also perform analysis of contaminated or potentially radioactive samples (e.g., effluents and groundwater) for environmental stewardship work. The integration between these labs and other CRL site facilities allows for the rapid handling of higher activity samples; something that cannot be performed at other Canadian laboratories.
In 2013, ACL received accreditation for seven chemical analysis procedures under the ISO/IEC 17025 standard (General Requirements for the Competence of Testing and Calibration Laboratories). The accreditation was granted by the Canadian Association for Laboratory Accreditation Inc. (CALA) following our successful response to their observations during a recent assessment. This accreditation certifies that the labs have demonstrated an ability to produce technically valid results and have displayed excellence in technical and lab management competence. The accredited procedures are used to perform chemical analyses of contaminants in ground water and process effluents at the site, and isotopic and radiochemical analyses of radioactive materials.
Accreditation under the ISO/IEC 17025 standard lends credibility to regulatory chemical analyses CNL performs for the Environmental Protection program and any evidence we may be called upon to provide in a future nuclear forensics case in a court of law. It also supports CNL’s participation in the IAEA Network of Analytical Laboratories.