[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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