Compliance vs Certified vs Informational Testing with SimpleLab

Laboratory testing certifications can be complex, especially when requirements vary by industry, application, and sample type. At SimpleLab, we make lab testing simpler. We handle the complexity behind the scenes, connecting you with certified laboratories and supporting everything from internal decision-making to full regulatory compliance.

This guide breaks down how lab certifications work, what “compliance-ready” testing actually means, and how requirements differ across testing matrices like drinking water, soil, air, and more.

Table of Contents

1. Are All Tests Certified?
2. What Is Compliance Testing?
3. Do I Need Compliance Testing?
4. What Is Informational Testing?
5. How Do Certifications Vary by Matrix?
6. How SimpleLab Supports Compliance Testing
7. Frequently Asked Questions

Are All SimpleLab Tests “Certified”?

While all testing is performed by certified laboratories, not every test is listed as a certified test . Whether this is relevant to your testing depends on the use case of the test and analysis.

A test is considered “certified” when a specific combination of  analyte, matrix, and method is listed by a certifying body on a laboratory's scope of accreditation. 

Here are the most common scenarios:

• A certification exists and the lab holds it
• A certification exists, but the lab does not hold it: The test is performed using validated methods, but results are not considered compliance-certified.
• No certification exists for that specific analyte, method, or matrix: This is common for newer or emerging contaminants, where regulatory standards have not yet been established.

This variability is common across environmental and product testing. SimpleLab helps you navigate these nuances to ensure your testing is both appropriate and cost-effective.

Cases where you want a certified test include:

• Regulatory or compliance reporting
• Permitting and licensing
• Legal or contractual obligations

SimpleLab can support your needs for certified testing — contact us here to get started with certified testing.

What Is Compliance Testing?

Compliance testing refers to a sample that is collected for a specific purpose where a regulatory body has given specific parameters for the collection and analysis of a sample.   

This may include:

• Approved methods (e.g., EPA, ASTM, ISO)
• Certified testing, specifically using a laboratory with a Field of Accreditation for a method,matrix, and analyte(s)
• Strict sampling, handling, and documentation procedures

Compliance testing is typically required for:

• Required for complying with a federal or state regulation or for legal purposes
• May be required to follow stricter sampling and documentation protocols
• Often requires professional, third-party sampling
• Requirements to submit final results to an agency or specific to a transaction or event

Do I Always Need Compliance or Certified Testing?

Not always.

You typically need compliance testing if:

• Required by a regulatory authority
• Submitting data for permits or reporting
• Operating within a regulated industry

If your goal is internal insight or screening, informational testing is often sufficient and more cost-effective.

What Is Informational Testing?

Informational testing is designed for internal use, background research, and decision-making—not for regulatory submission.

Unlike compliance requirements that include documentation standards and reporting to the state, informational testing does not require submission of data to a state. Informational testing is  still performed by certified laboratories using validated methods, which means the results are accurate and useful for real-world decisions.

For example, a contractor might test for asbestos before starting a renovation to understand potential risks. A water treatment professional might analyze water quality to determine the right filtration system. In both cases, the goal isn’t to submit results to a regulator. It’s to get clear, reliable information to guide the next step.

This type of testing is commonly used for screening, monitoring, product development, and general environmental insight. In many situations, it’s the most practical and cost-effective way to get the answers you need.

Why Do Certification Requirements Vary So Much?

Certification requirements are shaped by a combination of factors, including:

• Regulatory agencies (EPA, FDA, state programs)
• Industry standards organizations (ASTM, ISO)
• The specific analytes and testing methods
• The matrix being tested (water, soil, air, etc.)

For example, testing drinking water for lead may need to follow EPA-approved methods and state certification requirements if the results are being submitted for compliance. But testing soil at a construction site for general screening may follow different standards, or may not require certification at all, depending on how the data will be used.

Because of this, certification isn’t a single universal standard. It’s a matrix + method + purpose-specific framework, where requirements change based on the context of the project.

How Does SimpleLab Support Compliance Testing or Certified Tests?

SimpleLab supports compliance testing or certified testing needs by:

• Matching projects with appropriately certified laboratories
• Ensuring correct methods and documentation
• Supporting logistics, sampling, and chain-of-custody requirements

Because requirements vary, compliance projects are typically custom-scoped and quoted.

If you’re planning a compliance project, our team can help you get set up with the right approach from the start.

How Do I Choose the Right Testing Approach?

A simple framework:

• Need to submit results to a regulator? → Compliance testing
• Need data for internal decisions? → Informational testing

If you're unsure, SimpleLab can help determine the appropriate approach based on your project requirements.

Need help with specific testing requirements?

Talk to our team if your project requires specific certifications, methods, detection and reporting limits, or labs.

Accreditation and Certification FAQs

What are laboratory accreditations and certifications?

In the U.S., laboratory testing is regulated through a mix of state and national accreditation programs.

Each state sets its own requirements for how laboratories are evaluated and approved, which means there isn’t one universal system. Instead, labs must meet specific standards based on where and how testing is performed. Accreditation can be for the laboratory and its quality program, as well as for the tests themselves. 

What’s the difference between accreditation and certification?

There is no practical difference between the terms accreditation and a certification. The terms “accreditation” and “certification” are often used interchangeably by different agencies to describe the same idea: that a laboratory has been evaluated and approved to perform certain types of testing.

What is the difference between ELAP and NELAC/NELAP?

These are different types of accreditation programs:

ELAP (Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program):
A state-run accreditation program. Each state with ELAP sets and manages its own requirements.

NELAC (National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Conference):
Developed national standards for laboratory accreditation

NELAP (National Environmental Laboratory Accreditation Program):
A program based on those standards, used by a group of participating states (currently limited to a subset of U.S. states)

Both approaches are built around the same core goal: ensuring labs meet consistent quality standards.

Is there one certification for all laboratory tests in the U.S.?

No. There is no single nationwide certification. Instead, some states maintain their own accreditation program(s), based on the ISO 17025 standard.

This means certification of tests depends on:

• The state
• The specific test (analyte and method)
• The intended use of the results

Does the EPA certify laboratories?

No. The EPA sets standards and regulations, but laboratory certification is handled by state or third-party accrediting bodies, not the EPA directly.

What is an SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)?

An SOP is a laboratory’s step-by-step procedure for performing a specific test.

For certified testing:

• SOPs must align with approved analytical methods
• They are reviewed by accrediting bodies
• They help ensure consistency and accuracy in results

Does SimpleLab have its own certification or accreditation?

No. SimpleLab is not a laboratory. Instead, we work with a network of certified laboratories across the U.S., each with their own accreditations.

Why doesn’t my SimpleLab report list a specific accreditation?

SimpleLab works with a network of 250+ certified laboratories, each with different accreditations depending on the test and location.

To keep reports easy to understand, results are presented in a standardized format for informational use. If you need documentation for a specific lab certification, we can help provide it.

What if I need a specific certification for my test?

If you need testing that meets a specific regulatory requirement, you must reach  out to our customer service team before purchasing.