[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 19 (Friday, January 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-1821]


[Federal Register: January 28, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[Docket No. 931241-3341]


National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Request for comments on need for establishing a laboratory 
accreditation program.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has 
received a request to establish a laboratory accreditation program. In 
a letter dated September 16, 1993, the National Electrical 
Manufacturers Association, Washington, DC requested that NIST establish 
an accreditation program for testing electric motors for energy 
efficiency (but not for safety). A copy of the request letter is set 
out as an appendix to this notice. Announcement of this request by the 
National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), and of the NIST 
request for comments with respect thereto, are being made under the 
procedures of the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program 
(NVLAP) (15 CFR part 7, subpart B, Sec. 7.11(d)) of the referenced 
Procedures.

DATES: Comments may be submitted on or before March 28, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Persons desiring to comment on the need for such an 
accreditation program are invited to submit their comments in writing 
within the 60 day period to Albert Tholen, Chief, National Voluntary 
Accreditation Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
Building 411, room A162, Gaithersburg, MD 20899. Copies of comments 
received will be available for inspection and copying at the Department 
of Commerce Central Reference and Records Inspection Facility, room 
6020, Hoover Building, Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lawrence Galowin, Deputy to Chief, Laboratory Accreditation Program, 
National Institute of Standards and Technology, Building 411, room 
A162, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, Telephone (301) 975-4022, FAX (301) 926-
2884.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Scope of Laboratory Accreditation

    The request letter called for accreditation of test laboratories 
based on standard test methods for performance of energy efficient 
electric motors for the proposed program. The accreditation program 
will assist the efforts of industry to meet the requirements of the 
Energy Policy Act (EPACT) of 1992 regarding electric motors. The test 
methods for accreditation discussed at NEMA and DoE meetings with 
industry will be for IEEE Standard 112 Test Method B, and NEMA 
Standards Publication MG1-1987, as set forth in the EPACT legislation 
and other standards when and if the Secretary (DoE) amends the test 
procedures. NVLAP Procedures have recently been modified to be fully in 
accord with ISO Guide 25 that extends ISO 9002 recognition; such 
criteria will beneficially impact on the qualified applicants granted 
accreditation if approval is made to proceed with the program.
    As a normal extension of support by NVLAP to other agencies the 
applicable requirements of DoE to be established under the Energy 
Policy Act (EPACT) would be made an integral part of the program for 
accreditation of laboratories.

Procedure Following Receipt of Comments

    After the 60 days comment period, NIST will thoroughly evaluate all 
comments pertaining to the proposed accreditation program. Notification 
to all interested persons will be made by copy of a FR notice of the 
decision by the director of NIST regarding development of this program. 
Interested persons are the submitters of comments, or those requesting 
copy by placement on a NVLAP mailing distribution list. Approval of the 
program will call for technical assistance and input from interested 
and qualified parties and for comments to be made on the program 
handbook, test methods, and criteria applied in the program. NVLAP 
Procedures provide for public comment prior to final publication of the 
accreditation requirements.

    Dated: January 11, 1994.

Arati Prabhakar,

Director.

Appendix

September 16, 1993

Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899

    Dear Dr. Prabhakar: This letter is written on behalf of the 
Motor and Generator Section of NEMA to request that the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology establish a laboratory 
accreditation program (LAP) for electric motors through the National 
Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program.
    The purpose of the program will be to accredit testing 
laboratories to certify that standard test methods for product 
performance (and not safety) are properly followed in testing 
electric motors. Standard test methods and related performance 
standards will be those developed through such accredited standards-
making organizations as NEMA and the Institute of Electrical and 
Electronics Engineers, Inc.
    The development of a NVLAP program on energy efficient motors 
will be beneficial to industry in meeting the requirements of the 
Energy Policy Act (EPACT) of 1992 regarding electric motors. The 
EPACT requires that certain types and sizes of electric motors meet 
minimum efficiency standards and that a program be established to 
verify the efficiencies. A NVLAP program will assure that data used 
to verify motor efficiencies are measured in competent testing 
laboratories. The NVLAP program on energy efficient lighting, 
developed in response to a previous request by NEMA, will serve as a 
model for a program on electric motors.
    The NEMA Motor and Generator Section is willing to assist the 
National Institute of Standards and Technology in identifying and 
obtaining the necessary technical resources to establish the 
accreditation program.
    Please give this request your immediate attention.

    Sincerely,
Frank Kitzantides,
(Vice President, Engineering).

    Dated: January 24, 1994.
Samuel Kramer,
Associate Director
[FR Doc. 94-1821 Filed 1-27-94; 8:45 am]
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