The Department is amending Chapter 62-160, F.A.C., to update the Department’s field and laboratory SOPs and quality assurance objectives. Chapter 62-160, F.A.C., was last updated in 2008. The proposed rules revise the groundwater sampling SOP to allow a new technique that more accurately collects volatile contaminants, while reducing costs to the regulated community. A number of SOPs are revised to reflect recent scientific advances. The proposed rules also clarify when laboratory certification is not required or can be waived in order to meet the specific objectives of a DEP program or project. There are also proposed revisions that clarify the requirements for requesting use of alternative methodologies and allow more flexibility to use alternative methodologies to facilitate alignment of sampling/testing procedures with scientific advancements. In addition, there are a number of miscellaneous revisions to documents incorporated by reference based on stakeholder input. The proposed revisions provide greater flexibility to data providers and are expected to result in reductions in the process and costs for regulated parties, while assuring that DEP receives environmental data of suitable quality for making resource protection decisions. OTHER RULES INCORPORATING THIS RULE: Chapter 62-160, F.A.C., is referenced by the following rules: Rules 62-302.540, 62-303.320, 62-303.330, 62-303.340, 62-303.420, 62-303.430, 62-303.460, 62-303.470, 62-330.100, 62-330.412, 62-330.441, 62-341.494, 62-344.400, 62-344.500, 62-4.020, 62-4.246, 62-520.600, 62-610.320, 62-610.463, 62-610.568, 62-610.865, 62-620.610, 62-620.620, 62-625.420, 62-625.600, 62-673.320, 62-673.340, 62-701.200, 62-701.330, 62-701.510, 62-702.400, 62-709.530, 62-713.510, 62-730.225, 62-737.200, 62-770.220, 62-770.900, 62-770.400, 62-770.600, 62-780.220, 62-780.300, 62-780.600, 62-780.700, 62-782.220, 62-782.300, 62-782.600, 62-782.700, 62-785.220, 62-785.300, 62-785.600, and 62-785.700, F.A.C. EFFECT ON THOSE OTHER RULES: The proposed amendments are not expected to have significant effects on other rules. Certain provisions in the proposed rules provide greater flexibility for data providers that should allow for better efficiency and minor cost savings.