[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 13 (Thursday, January 20, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 3206-3207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-1298]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket No.: 991215338-9338-01]
RIN 0693ZA36


Intent To Terminate Selected NVLAP Services

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

ACTION:  Notice to terminate specific programs within the National 
Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP).

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SUMMARY:  Under the NVLAP Procedures the Director of NIST, as delegated 
to the Chief of NVLAP, may terminate a specific 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 the LAP.
    The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) requests 
written comments on the proposed termination of the Protocols Program 
offered by NVLAP, and announces a 60-day comment period for that 
purpose. The Protocols Program is comprised of the Government Open 
Systems Interconnection Profile (GOSIP) and Portable Operating Systems 
Interface (POSIX) areas of testing.
    Persons interested in commenting on the proposed termination should 
submit their comments in writing to the address below.

DATE:  Comments on the proposed termination must be received no later 
than March 20, 2000.

ADDRESSES:  Comments on the proposed terminations must be submitted to: 
Chief, National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program, National 
Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2140, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2140, telephone number: (301) 975-4016, e-mail: 
[email protected].

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  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 is comprised of a set 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.
    Under the NVLAP Procedures the Director of NIST, as delegated to 
the Chief of NVLAP, may terminate a specific 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 the 
LAP. A review of all NVLAP programs revealed that the Protocols Program 
offered by NVLAP no longer has any participating laboratories, thus 
making its continuance impractical and financially nonviable. The 
Protocols Program is comprised of the GOSIP and POSIX areas of testing. 
Therefore, the Chief of NVLAP has determined that there no longer 
exists a need to continue this LAP.
    After the comment period, the Chief of NVLAP shall determine if 
there is public support for the continuation of the LAP. If public 
comments support the continuation of the LAP, the Chief of NVLAP shall 
publish a Federal Register Notice announcing its continuation. If 
public support does not exist for continuation, the LAP will be 
terminated effective 90 days after the date of this notice of intent to 
terminate the LAP. If the LAP is terminated, NVLAP shall not longer 
grant or renew accreditations under the terminated program following 
the effective date of termination.
    Copies of comments received will be available for inspection and 
copying at the Department of Commerce Central Reference and Records 
Facility, Room 6204, Hoover Building, Washington, DC 20230.


[[Page 3207]]


    Dated: January 11, 2000.
Karen H. Brown,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. 00-1298 Filed 1-19-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-M