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Environmental Laboratory
New parameters are incorporated into the Analytical Procedures Manual
04/23/2026
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The Ministry of Environment presented the fourth edition of this Manual (2026) of analytical procedures for environmental samples, which systematizes and updates analytical methodologies applicable to different matrices, within the framework of implementation of Decree 226/025. It is a technical reference instrument for the country's environmental laboratories.
This publication has the purpose of establishing standardized methodologies, with technical criteria and minimum quality requirements for the generation of analytical data used in environmental evaluation, control and management in the national territory.
The National Director of Quality and Environmental Assessment (Dinacea), Alejandro Nario, pointed out that "it implied a strong updating effort in the maintenance of analytical methodologies, by our Laboratory team. It shows leadership of the Ministry in the processes and quality of the data. This Manual is a reference that allows all public or private laboratories to use the same language, in the sense of the tests, how the samples are taken, how they are maintained. This allows them to have quality information to make decisions."
The fourth edition contains 109 procedures that include the determination of parameters in different environmental matrices: surface and groundwater, liquid effluents, soils, sediments, air, solid waste and fish.
In section 5, the Manual details methodologies and procedures for the analysis of microbiological parameters, such as coliforms and enterococci. And it incorporates section 8 of organic parameters for the analysis of pesticides in natural waters, sediments and fish.
This Manual also responds to the new environmental regulatory framework that incorporates regulatory and economic instruments aimed at strengthening environmental management. "There have been many new regulations that introduced new parameters, such as the Water Decree (226/25) that we approved at the end of last year, which incorporates pesticides, the issue of enterococci, among others. And well, that allows for very strong work from an environmental point of view," highlighted Alejandro Nario.
The standardization of analytical methods is essential to ensure the comparability, traceability and technical validity of the results reported by different laboratories.
Both the methods and the technical procedures contained in the Manual will be mandatory in any presentation, intervention or requirement that includes analytical results in procedures and procedures for evaluation, authorization or environmental control.
Laboratories must implement and maintain quality management systems that ensure the technical competence of personnel, adequate calibration and maintenance of equipment, metrological traceability of measurements, and documentation of analytical processes. Accreditation is promoted under the ISO/IEC 17025 standard, following the guidelines established in the National Registry of Environmental Laboratories (RNLA) through RM 989/2023 bis.
The director of Dinacea highlighted "the commitment and technical excellence of the Environmental Laboratory Division team (...) This sustained work reaffirms the strategic function of the laboratory as an essential support for evaluation, control and environmental policy.
The correct application of this Manual will contribute to strengthening the quality of environmental information generated in Uruguay, consolidating confidence in the reported data and ensuring environmental management based on robust and verifiable technical evidence.
The production of reliable environmental information constitutes a fundamental pillar for making regulatory decisions, granting environmental authorizations, monitoring conditions established in permits, supervising potentially polluting activities and protecting natural resources and public health.
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Presentation Manual of analytical procedures for environmental samples, 4th edition, 2026
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Manual of analytical procedures for environmental samples. Fourth edition,…
Ministerial Resolution No. 290/2026
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