Federal Register #2026-22122

HHS proposes updates to federal workplace urine drug testing guidelines

HHS is proposing revisions to the federal guidelines for workplace urine drug testing. - Government buyer: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Division of Workplace Programs. - This is a proposed regulatory update and request for public comment, not a procurement solicitation; no products, purchase quantities, commercial vendors, or OEMs are identified. - Proposed changes include: - Raising the pH threshold used to identify invalid specimens from 9.0 to 9.5. - Reducing initial-test batch quality-control requirements from 10% to 4%. - Clarifying which laboratories may be certified and how authorized drug-testing panels are published. - Expanding biomarker-testing options for Medical Review Officers and split-specimen laboratories. - Revising wording on collection procedures and alignment with oral-fluid testing guidelines.

Description

The Department of Health and Human Services proposes revisions to the Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs using Urine, originally published on October 12, 2023. The changes include clarifying which laboratories may be certified, adjusting invalid-specimen criteria, revising initial-test batch quality-control requirements, and allowing certain biomarker testing actions by Medical Review Officers and split-testing laboratories. Comments are due by December 28, 2026. The notice identifies docket number SAMHSA-2026-0002 for comments.

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