Section 314-55-1035 - Laboratory certification-Suspension and revocation(1) The board may summarily suspend or revoke the certification of any lab certified under WAC 314-55-0995 for any of the following reasons:(a) The laboratory owner or science director violates any of the requirements of chapter 314-55 WAC relating to the operations of the laboratory.(b) The laboratory owner or science director aids, abets, or permits the violation of any provision of chapters 314-55 WAC, 69.50 RCW, 69.51A RCW, or Title 9 or 9A RCW related to the operations of the laboratory, or the laboratory owner or science director permits laboratory staff to do so.(c) Evidence the certificate holder or owner made false statements in any material regard: (i) On the application for certification;(ii) In submissions to the board relating to receiving or maintaining certification; or(iii) Regarding any testing performed or results provided to WSLCB or the cannabis licensee by the certificate holder or owner pursuant to WAC 314-55-102.(d) The laboratory owner or science director is convicted of any crime substantially related to the qualifications or duties of that owner and related to the functions of the laboratory, including a conviction for falsifying any report of or that relates to a laboratory analysis. For purposes of this subsection, a "conviction" means a plea or finding of guilt regardless of whether the imposition of sentence is deferred or the penalty is suspended.(e) The laboratory submits proficiency test sample results generated by another laboratory as its own.(f) The laboratory staff denies entry to any employee of the WSLCB or WSLCB's vendor during normal business hours for an on-site assessment or inspection, as required by WAC 314-55-0995, 314-55-102, 314-55-1025, or 314-55-103.(2)(a) The following violations are subject to the penalties as provided in (b) of this subsection: (i) The laboratory fails to submit an acceptable corrective action report in response to a deficiency report, and failure to implement corrective action related to any deficiencies found during a laboratory assessment.(ii) The laboratory fails to report proficiency testing results pursuant to WAC 314-55-1025.(iii) The laboratory fails to remit certification fees within the time limit established by a certifying authority.(iv) The laboratory fails to meet recordkeeping requirements as required by chapter 314-55 WAC unless the failure to maintain records is substantial enough to warrant a suspension or revocation under subsection (1) of this section.(b) The penalties for the violations in (a) of this subsection are as follows: (i) First violation: Ten-day suspension of the lab's certification or until the lab corrects the violation leading to the suspension, whichever is longer.(ii) Second violation within a three-year period: Thirty-day suspension of laboratory certification or until the laboratory corrects the violation leading to the suspension, whichever is longer.(iii) Third violation within a three-year period: Revocation of the lab's certification.(3) A certified lab may also be subject to a suspension of certification related to proficiency testing requirements under WAC 314-55-1025.(4) A laboratory that has its certification suspended or revoked under this section may request an administrative hearing to contest the suspension or revocation as provided in chapter 34.05 RCW.Wash. Admin. Code § 314-55-1035
Adopted by WSR 17-12-032, Filed 5/31/2017, effective 8/31/2017Amended by WSR 22-14-111, Filed 7/6/2022, effective 8/6/2022