[F1Samples: generalU.K.

1.—(1) A local authority must secure, so far as reasonably practicable, that when it takes, handles, transports, stores or analyses any sample required to be taken for the purposes of this Schedule, or causes any such sample to be taken, handled, transported, stored or analysed, it complies with the appropriate requirements.

(2) A local authority must secure that a person accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service checks from time to time the local authority’s compliance with the appropriate requirements.

(3) Additionally, when undertaking activity described in sub-paragraph (1) the local authority must demonstrate compliance with the following standards—

(a)as regards any such activity, other than analysing samples, on or after 11th July 2020, European standard EN ISO/IEC 17024 entitled “Conformity Assessment. General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons”, European standard EN ISO/IEC 17025 entitled “General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories” or other equivalent standards accepted at international level;

(b)as regards the activity of analysing samples, European standard EN ISO/IEC 17025 or another equivalent standard accepted at international level.

(4) In this paragraph, “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 the sample is doing so in accordance with a system of quality control to an appropriate standard;

(c)the sample is not contaminated in the course of being taken;

(d)the sample is kept at such a temperature and in such conditions as will 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 whether at the time and place it is taken or as soon as reasonably practicable after it is taken—

(i)by or under the supervision of a person who is competent to perform that task, and

(i)with the use of such equipment as is suitable for the purpose.]