[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 218 (Monday, November 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-27994]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: November 14, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[Docket No. 941096-4296]

 

Termination of Selected National Voluntary Laboratory 
Accreditation Program (NVLAP) Services

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice is to announce to decision by the Director of NIST 
to: (1) terminate the NVLAP High Level Protocols, Solid Fuel Room 
Heaters, and the DDN X.25/Blacker Host fields of testing as of December 
31, 1994; and (2) continue two fields of testing, Plastics, and Seals 
and Sealants.
    Under the NVLAP Procedures (15 CFR, Part 285), the Director of NIST 
may terminate a field or a laboratory accreditation program (LAP) when 
it is determined that a need no longer exists to accredit laboratories 
for the services covered under the scope of a LAP.
    Accreditations previously granted in the terminated fields of 
testing will remain effective through December 31, 1994, or until their 
expiration date, whichever is later. Laboratories may voluntarily 
terminate their accreditation at any time.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Albert D. Tholen, Chief, National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation 
Program, (301) 975-4016.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The National Institute of Standards and Technology administers the 
National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program under regulations 
as found in Part 285 of Title 15 of the Code of Federal Regulations. 
NVLAP provides an unbiased third party evaluation and recognition of 
laboratory performance, as well as expert technical assistance to 
upgrade that performance by accrediting calibration and testing 
laboratories found competent to perform specific tests or calibrations.
    NVLAP accreditation is available to commercial laboratories, 
manufacturer's in-house laboratories, and federal, state and local 
government laboratories. Foreign-based laboratories may also be 
accredited if they meet the same requirements as domestic laboratories.
    NVLAP is comprised of a series of Laboratory Accreditation Programs 
(LAPS) which are established on the basis of requests and demonstrated 
need. Each LAP includes specific test and/or calibration standards and 
related methods and protocols assembled to satisfy the unique needs for 
accreditation in a field of testing, field of calibration, product or 
service.
    On April 12, 1994, NIST published a notice in the Federal Register 
(59 FR 17338) requesting comments on the proposed termination of 
selected fields of testing in the Computer/Electronics and Product 
Testing Laboratory Accreditation Programs offered by NVLAP. The fields 
of testing proposed for termination were High Level Protocols, DDN 
X.25/Blacker Host, Plastics, Seals and Sealants, and Solid Fuel Room 
Heaters.

Analysis of Comments Received

    After a 60 day comment period, a total of 12 responses were 
received; 10 regarding the Seals and Sealants field of testing, 1 
regarding the continuance of the DDN X.25/Blacker Host field of testing 
and 1 regarding the termination of the Solid Fuel Room Heaters field of 
testing. Of the 12 responses, 7 were from manufacturers of seals and 
sealants, 2 from government agencies, 2 from a testing laboratory and 1 
from an industry trade association.
    Comment: Two letters from one manufacturer stated that sealant 
specifiers and manufacturers of quality sealants rely on the quality 
and accuracy of the data presented from an accredited laboratory.
    Response: NVLAP agrees with the statements in these letters.
    Comment: A manufacturer, a government agency, and a testing 
laboratory commented that the seals and sealants industry needs NVLAP-
accredited laboratories to conduct independent testing of products. Two 
other manufacturers commented that they seek independent accredited 
laboratories to perform testing on their product.
    Response: NVLAP agrees that a need for NVLAP accreditation exists.
    Comment: Two manufacturers and a trade industry commented that the 
Sealant Waterproofing & Restoration Institute (SWRI) is developing a 
validation program which requires NVLAP accreditation for seals and 
sealants testing laboratories. However, the validation program would 
not be realized for another 18-24 months.
    Response: NVLAP will work with the (SWRI) as they develop their 
accreditation program.
    Comment: One letter from a government agency requested that NVLAP 
temporarily continue the DDN X.25/Blacker Host field of testing through 
December 31, 1994, because it is planning to consolidate the 
requirements of this program with those of the larger NVLAP program of 
GOSIP.
    Response: Because the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) 
requires all laboratories performing qualification testing for 
equipment on the DISA approved DDN X.25 Qualified Host Interface and 
the DDN X.25/Blacker Host Interface list, NVLAP has agreed to maintain 
this field and the others fields of testing through December 31, 1994.
    Comment: One letter from a testing laboratory supported our 
proposal for the termination of the Solid Fuel Room Heater field of 
testing.
    Response:. The Solid Fuel Room Heater field of testing will be 
terminated as proposed.
    No responses were received regarding the High Level Protocols or 
Plastics fields of testing.
    Based on the above analysis of the comments received, the Director 
of NIST has decided to: (1) terminate the NVLAP High Level Protocols, 
DDN X.25/Blacker Host, and Solid Fuel Room Heaters fields of testing; 
(2) continue the Seals and Sealants field of testing, and (3) continue 
the Plastics field of testing because it shares the same laboratory 
population as the Seals and Sealants field and because products tested 
in both fields are similar.

    Dated: November 7, 1994.
Samuel Kramer,
Associate Director.
[FR Doc. 94-27994 Filed 11-10-94; 8:45 am]
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