WASHINGTON – The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Thursday revised and consolidated standards and procedures for the accreditation of non-federal analytical chemistry laboratories.

Laboratories in the Accredited Laboratory Program (ALP) are accredited to analyze official meat and poultry samples for chemical residues and for moisture, protein, fat, and salt.

The FSIS said it is amending regulations to accommodate newer methods for analyzing chemical residues and to provide clarification. The revisions will also reflect FSIS reorganizations and program changes.

The final rule will reportedly consolidate the current regulations to describe the conditions under which FSIS will revoke or suspend a laboratory's accreditation for reasons associated with violations of law.

This rule will be effective Oct. 9, 2008, the agency said.

Source: Food Safety and Inspection Service