[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 202 (Thursday, October 17, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 54157]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-26643]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket No. 960909249-6249-01]
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 24, 1996 
from The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) requesting the 
development of a new program under the National Voluntary Conformity 
Assessment System Evaluation (NVCASE) Program to evaluate and recognize 
that organization as an accreditor of product certification bodies. The 
goal is to have pressure equipment tested and certified in the United 
States and have the results accepted in European Union (EU) member 
states on an equal basis as if performed in those countries under 
Council Directive 87/404/EEC with 90/488/EEC amendment.

DATES: Comments on this request must be received by January 2, 1997.

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 E-mail 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Robert L. Gladhill, NVCASE Program Manager, at NIST, Bldg. 820, Room 
282, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, by telephone at 301-975-4273 by fax at 
301-963-2871 or by E-mail 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 24, 1996.
Mr. Robert L. Gladhill,
Program Manager, NVCASE Program,
NIST,
Bldg. 820, Room 282,
Gaithersburg, MD 20899.

    Dear Mr. Gladhill: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers 
(ASME) is seeking recognition under NVCASE for our conformity 
assessment program for pressure equipment.
    Since 1916, ASME has conducted conformity assessment programs 
for pressure equipment constructed in accordance with the ASME 
Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. The Code provides rules for 
materials, design, fabrication, inspection, testing, quality 
control, certification, and marking of pressure equipment. 
Accredited manufacturers are authorized to use one or more of ASME's 
proprietary marks. Twenty-two marks are registered in the US and 
about the world.
    In accordance with a 1972 Consent Decree with the United States 
government, ASME administers its accreditation programs uniformly 
about the world. There are more than 4000 accredited manufacturers 
in 55 countries. The ASME mark is required by law in most US States 
and all Canadian Provinces, and is used in 80 countries.
    The following is the information you indicated was necessary for 
evaluation of our request:
    Foreign Requirements: The corresponding foreign requirements are 
the European Union's directives for pressure equipment, 
specifically:
     Council Directive on the harmonization of the laws of 
the Member States relating to simple pressure vessels (87/404/EEC 
with 90/488/EEC amendment).
     Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of 
the Member States concerning pressure equipment (second reading and 
adoption scheduled for June 1996) ASME is participating in 
discussions regarding a mutual recognition agreement.
    Industrial Sector: The industrial sector includes manufacturers 
of pressure equipment, including boilers, pressure vessels, piping, 
pressure relief devices, and materials. Manufacturers of machinery 
that incorporate these vessels are also affected.
    The ASME accreditation program is utilized by the following US 
federal agencies:

 Department of Defense
 Department of Energy
 Department of Transportation
    --Coast Guard
    --Research and Special Programs Administration
 General Services Administration
 National Aeronautics and Space Administration
 Nuclear Regulatory Commission
 Occupational Safety and Health Administration

    Program Area: The program includes both product and quality 
system certification.
    Level of Recognition: ASME seeks recognition of its conformity 
assessment programs.
    Recommended Criteria, Technical Requirements: The basic criteria 
for the program are the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and ISO 
9001. The corresponding European Union requirements are their Simple 
Pressure Vessel Directive and the Pressure Equipment Directive noted 
above.
    Rationale: Currently, simple pressure vessels entering the EU 
must be CE marked. By mid 1997, there will be a similar requirement 
for pressure equipment. Authorization to affix the CE mark requires 
acceptance by an organization (notified body) which an EU Member 
State has appointed to carry out the conformity assessment 
activities. A notified body may subcontract certain technical 
aspects to a US organization, however, it may not subcontract 
initial assessment nor acceptance/approval.
    Recognition of ASME as a competent technical body in the area of 
pressure equipment and conformity assessment would allow for mutual 
recognition agreements that would be of benefit to ASME Certificate 
Holders and companies that incorporate vessels into machinery. There 
are currently 3000 accredited companies in the US and 1100 in other 
countries.
    Please let us know if any additional information is required at 
this time. We would also be willing to meet with you to discuss the 
process.

      Sincerely,
David A. Wizda,
Director, Conformity Assessment.

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

    Dated: October 10, 1996.
Samuel Kramer,
Associate Director.
[FR Doc. 96-26643 Filed 10-16-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M