The laboratory's owners purchased Watertown Dairy Lab in 1981 and operated under that name until 1986, at which time it was incorporated as Converse Laboratories Incorporated (CLI). During the early years, analytical capabilities consisted primarily of dairy testing with FDA and NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets approval.

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In 1985, the laboratory's certifications and analytical capabilities expanded into drinking water, wastewater, and environmental analyses attaining approval from NYS Department of Health Environmental Laboratory Approval Program (ELAP). The National Environmental Accreditation Conference (NELAC) has accredited CLI since 1999.

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