[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 15, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53718-53719]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: X96-11015]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket No. 960909249-6276-02]
RIN 0693-XX23


National Voluntary Conformity Assessment System Evaluation 
(NVCASE) Program

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This is to advise the public that the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology (NIST) received a letter dated July 25, 1996 
from The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors 
requesting the development of a new program under the National 
Voluntary Conformity Assessment Systems Evaluation (NVCASE) Program. 
The letter requests NVCASE to evaluate and accredit that Board as an 
ISO-9000 registrar so that it, in turn, can conduct audits of 
manufacturers of pressure vessels according to ISO-9000, formally 
registering those which are in compliance. The Board's goal is to 
achieve acceptance by Canada and other governments of ISO 9000 
registrations performed in the United States on an equal basis with 
those performed in those other countries.

DATES: Comments on this request must be received by December 30, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted in writing to Robert L. 
Gladhill, NVCASE Program Manager, NIST, Bldg. 820, Room 282, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899, by fax at 301-963-2871, or email 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert L. Gladhill, NVCASE Program Manager, at NIST, Bldg. 820, Room 
282, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, by telephone at 301-975-4029, by fax at 
301-963-2871 or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NVCASE procedures at 15 CFR Part 286 
require NIST to seek public consultation when it receives such 
requests. This program involves a collection of information subject to 
the Paperwork Reduction Act. This collection is approved by the Office 
of Management and Budget under control No. 0693-0019.
    The text of the request follows:

July 25, 1996.
Mr. Robert L. Gladhill, Program Manager, NVCASE Program, NIST, Bldg. 
820, Room 282, Gaithersburg, MD 20899

    Dear Mr. Gladhill: The National Board of Boiler and Pressure 
Vessel Inspectors is requesting NIST to accredit the National Board 
as an ISO-9000 registrar under the NVCASE program. We would like to 
coordinate our activities with NIST to achieve our goal in the most 
expeditious manner possible. Successful efforts from both our 
organizations will help boiler and pressure vessel manufacturers in 
the global marketplace.
    The National Board is the central organization in the United 
States that coordinates certification and enforcement activities in 
the boiler and pressure vessel industry. The National Board is 
comprised of the chief inspectors of the states and certain cities 
of the Unites States. These chief

[[Page 53719]]

inspectors are responsible for the enforcement of regulation 
pertaining to the construction, installation, operation, repair, and 
alteration of boilers and pressure vessels. Certification by a 
government body is consistent with the founding principles of the 
National Board.
    Since its founding in 1919, the National Board has been 
assisting the states in the enforcement of boiler and pressure 
vessel safety legislation. Currently, most of the audits of boiler 
and pressure vessel manufacturers, installers, and assemblers in the 
United States are conducted by the National Board and its members. 
Also, all audits of manufacturers and assemblers of safety valves 
are conducted by the National Board. These audits are conducted to 
assure compliance with the requirements of the quality and 
construction standards, and to ensure compliance with the 
regulations of the states and cities. The ability to certify to ISO-
9000 will allow manufacturers the option to expand their markets 
internationally.
    The National Board has conducted audits at nuclear generating 
stations. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission in their deliberations 
has used results of the audits in its decisions on the licensing of 
stations. These audits are conducted on programs complying with 10 
CFR 50 that are identical to ISO-9000.
    Currently, requirements are in place by Canadian authorities 
requiring an accepted quality program for import into Canada. The 
U.S. fitting/flange manufacturers may have their quality program 
reviewed by provincial authorities or be in possession of a 
Certificate issued by an accredited registrar. The National Board is 
among organizations recognized by these authorities as a body that 
can certify manufacturers. Lacking accreditation, we are unable to 
assist U.S. manufacturers in their attempts to enter this market.
    The National Board has been in discussions with the Registrar 
Accreditation Board(RAB) on the issue of certification of personnel. 
Their policy is that in order for an applicant for accreditation to 
be considered by them, RAB must certify the applicant's personnel. 
Other accreditors of ISO-9000 registrars recognize a registrar's 
ability to certify their own personnel in accordance with ISO-10011. 
This issue has caused a stalemate in our relationship with RAB 
preventing the National Board from becoming accredited by RAB.
    On behalf of the members of the National Board, I look forward 
to working with NIST on the NVCASE program.

    Yours truly,
Albert J. Justin,
Executive Director.

    Interested parties should respond in writing to the above address. 
All comments submitted with become part of the public record and will 
be available for inspection and copying at the U.S. Department of 
Commerce Central Reference and Records and Inspection Facility, Room 
6020, Herbert C. Hoover Building, 14th and Constitution Avenue, 
Washington, DC 20230.

    Dated: October 9, 1996.
Samuel Kramer,
Associate Director.
[FR Doc. 26351 Filed 10-11-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M