EPA conducts scientific evaluations of new analytical methods for possible inclusion in The SW-846 Compendium if the methods:

• Offer cost-effective alternatives
• Provide “green chemistry” alternatives or considerations
• Significantly improve data quality
• Are expected to find broad application in environmental monitoring

On this page:

• EPA's Role in Method Development 
• Method Developers and the Approval Process
• Method Evaluation Criteria for SW-846 

EPA’s Role in Method Development

The EPA Methods Team supports the development of new environmental measurement or monitoring technologies by:

• Assisting developers in designing proof of concept studies
• Hosting forums to facilitate the exchange of ideas between method developers and users
• Assisting method developers in designing evaluation studies prior to submitting an approval application

Method Developers and the Approval Process

Method developers hoping for an EPA review should follow the procedures in the guidance documents to help speed up the method approval process. When a method is completed and ready for review, the method developer should assemble a package of documents including:

• An electronic copy of the method, adhering to the SW-846 Style Guide
• Supporting documentation describing the rationale behind the method development effort
• A data package containing both the raw and summarized single-laboratory and multi-laboratory data
• Any diagrams of specific equipment and instrument results (e.g., chromatograms or spectra) pertinent to the demonstration of appropriate performance for the intended application
• Electronic copies of any references listed in the method
• Any method-specific quality control criteria

Method Evaluation Criteria for SW-846

EPA uses the following criteria when evaluating a new method for SW-846:

• Is there a need for the intended scope and application of the method?
• Will the submitted method generate data consistent with the intended scope and application?
• Have appropriate quality control procedures been developed?
• Is there an existing or anticipated Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulatory need for the method?
• Is the method significantly different in principle or approach from existing SW-846 method?