[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 42 (Thursday, March 2, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11345-11347]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-4966]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
[Docket No. NRTL-3-92]
TUV Rheinland of North America, Inc., Application for Expansion
of Recognition
AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces the application of TUV Rheinland of
North America, Inc., (TUV) for expansion of its recognition as a
Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) under 29 CFR 1910.7,
and presents the Agency's preliminary finding. This preliminary finding
does not constitute an interim or temporary approval of this
application.
DATES: Comments submitted by interested parties must be received no
later than May 1, 2000.
ADDRESSES: Send comments concerning this notice to: Office of Technical
Programs and Coordination Activities, NRTL Program, Occupational Safety
and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution
Avenue, NW, Room N3653, Washington, D.C. 20210.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernard Pasquet, Office of Technical
Programs and Coordination Activities, NRTL Program at the above
address, or phone (202) 693-2110.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Notice of Application
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hereby
gives notice that TUV Rheinland of North America, Inc., (TUV) has
applied for expansion of its current recognition as a Nationally
Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). TUV's expansion request covers
the use of additional test standards.
OSHA recognition of an NRTL signifies that the organization has met
the legal requirements in Section 1910.7 of Title 29, Code of Federal
Regulations (29 CFR 1910.7). Recognition is an acknowledgment that the
organization can perform independent safety testing and certification
of the specific products covered within its scope of recognition, and
is not a delegation or grant of government authority. As a result of
recognition, OSHA can accept products ``properly certified'' by the
NRTL. OSHA processes applications related to an NRTL's recognition
following requirements in Appendix A to 29 CFR 1910.7. This appendix
requires that the Agency publish this public notice of the preliminary
finding on an application.
The most recent notices published by OSHA for the TUV recognition
covered an expansion of recognition, which OSHA announced on January 8,
1998 (63 FR 1127) and granted on April 2, 1998 (63 FR 16280).
The current address of the TUV facility (site) recognized by OSHA
is: TUV Rheinland of North America, Inc., 12 Commerce Road, Newtown,
Connecticut 06470.
General Background on the Application
TUV has submitted a request, dated May 5, 1999 (see Exhibit 19A),
to expand its recognition as an NRTL for one hundred forty (140)
additional test standards. TUV also submitted information in support of
its request with a letter, dated July 6, 1999 (see Exhibit 19B). OSHA
has determined that twenty-one (21) of the standards that TUV requested
are not ``appropriate test standards,'' as specified in 29 CFR
1910.7(c). Therefore, the expansion will only cover the one hundred-
nineteen (119) test standards listed below.
The NRTL has submitted documentation that shows its general
capability for testing to the standards for which it seeks recognition.
The testing capabilities required under these standards are very
similar to those standards for which it is already recognized. TUV will
develop more specific documentation for testing to the standards
requested. Since the Agency has not yet reviewed these procedures, it
has concerns regarding the actual procedures that TUV will develop and
utilize for testing. In addition, OSHA temporarily withheld its
consideration of TUV's expansion request due to discrepancies noted
during a review of TUV's site. TUV has presented documentation to OSHA
to address the issues raised by the review. Although OSHA has decided
to proceed with this preliminary finding on the expansion request, the
Agency is concerned that the NRTL's resolution to the issues will take
some time to implement. Due to these concerns, OSHA plans to
conditionally recognize TUV for the additional standards.
TUV seeks recognition for testing and certification of products to
demonstrate compliance to the 119 test standards listed below, and OSHA
has determined the standards are appropriate, as prescribed by 29 CFR
1910.7(c). OSHA's recognition of any NRTL for a particular test
standard is limited to equipment or materials (i.e., products) for
which OSHA standards require third party testing and certification
before use in the workplace. As a result, the Agency's recognition of
an NRTL for a test standard excludes any product(s), falling within the
scope of the test standard, for which OSHA has no such requirements.
ANSI/UL 22 Amusement and Gaming Machines
ANSI/UL 48 Electric Signs
ANSI/UL 67 Panelboards
ANSI/UL 73 Motor-Operated Appliances
ANSI/UL 82 Electric Gardening Appliances
ANSI/UL 122 Photographic Equipment
ANSI/UL 130 Electric Heating Pads
ANSI/UL 136 Pressure Cookers
ANSI/UL 141 Garment Finishing Appliances
ANSI/UL 153 Portable Electric Lamps
ANSI/UL 174 Household Electric Storage Tank Water Heaters
[[Page 11346]]
ANSI/UL 197 Commercial Electric Cooking Appliances
ANSI/UL 250 Household Refrigerators and Freezers
ANSI/UL 298 Portable Electric Hand Lamps
ANSI/UL 430 Waste Disposers
ANSI/UL 443 Steel Auxiliary Tanks for Oil-Burner Fuel
UL 444 Communications Cables
ANSI/UL 448 Pumps for Fire Protection Service
ANSI/UL 452 Antenna-Discharge Units
ANSI/UL 469 Musical Instruments and Accessories
ANSI/UL 471 Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers
ANSI/UL 474 Dehumidifiers
ANSI/UL 482 Portable Sun/Heat Lamps
ANSI/UL 499 Electric Heating Appliances
ANSI/UL 506 Specialty Transformers
ANSI/UL 507 Electric Fans
ANSI/UL 508 Industrial Control Equipment
ANSI/UL 508C Power Conversion Equipment
ANSI/UL 541 Refrigerated Vending Machines
ANSI/UL 561 Floor Finishing Machines
ANSI/UL 583 Electric-Battery-Powered Industrial Trucks
ANSI/UL 621 Ice Cream Makers
ANSI/UL 696 Electric Toys
ANSI/UL 697 Toy Transformers
ANSI/UL 745-1 Portable Electric Tools
ANSI/UL 745-2-1 Particular Requirements of Drills
ANSI/UL 745-2-2 Particular Requirements for Screwdrivers and Impact
Wrenches
ANSI/UL 745-2-3 Particular Requirements for Grinders, Polishers, and
Disk-Type Sanders
ANSI/UL 745-2-4 Particular Requirements for Sanders
ANSI/UL 745-2-5 Particular Requirements for Circular Saws and Circular
Knives
ANSI/UL 745-2-6 Particular Requirements for Hammers
ANSI/UL 745-2-8 Particular Requirements for Shears and Nibblers
ANSI/UL 745-2-9 Particular Requirements for Tappers
ANSI/UL 745-2-11 Particular Requirements for Reciprocating Saws
ANSI/UL 745-2-12 Particular Requirements for Concrete Vibrators
ANSI/UL 745-2-14 Particular Requirements for Planers
ANSI/UL 745-2-17 Particular Requirements for Routers and Trimmers
ANSI/UL 745-2-30 Particular Requirements for Staplers
ANSI/UL 745-2-31 Particular Requirements for Diamond Core Drills
ANSI/UL 745-2-32 Particular Requirements for Magnetic Drill Presses
ANSI/UL 745-2-33 Particular Requirements for Portable Bandsaws
ANSI/UL 745-2-34 Particular Requirements for Strapping Tools
ANSI/UL 745-2-35 Particular Requirements for Drain Cleaners
ANSI/UL 745-2-36 Particular Requirements for Hand Motor Tools
ANSI/UL 745-2-37 Particular Requirements for Plate Jointers
ANSI/UL 749 Household Dishwashers
ANSI/UL 751 Vending Machines
UL 763 Motor-Operated Commercial Food Preparing Machines
UL 775 Graphic Arts Equipment
ANSI/UL 778 Motor Operated Water Pumps
ANSI/UL 826 Household Electric Clocks
ANSI/UL 858 Household Electric Ranges
ANSI/UL 859 Household Electric Personal Grooming Appliance
ANSI/UL 867 Electrostatic Air Cleaners
ANSI/UL 875 Electric Dry Bath Heaters
ANSI/UL 921 Commercial Electric Dishwashers
ANSI/UL 923 Microwave Cooking Appliances
ANSI/UL 935 Fluorescent-Lamp Ballasts
ANSI/UL 961 Electric Hobby and Sports Equipment
ANSI/UL 982 Motor-Operated Household Food Preparing Machines
ANSI/UL 984 Hermetic Refrigerant Motor-Compressors
ANSI/UL 987 Stationary and Fixed Electric Tools
ANSI/UL 1004 Electric Motors
ANSI/UL 1005 Electric Flatirons
ANSI/UL 1012 Power Units Other than Class Two
ANSI/UL 1017 Vacuum Cleaning Machines and Blower Cleaners
ANSI/UL 1018 Electric Aquarium Equipment
ANSI/UL 1026 Electric Household Cooking and Food-Serving Appliances
ANSI/UL 1028 Hair Clipping and Shaving Appliances
ANSI/UL 1042 Electric Baseboard Heating Equipment
ANSI/UL 1081 Swimming Pool Pumps, Filters and Chlorinators
ANSI/UL 1082 Household Electric Coffee Makers and Brewing-Type
Appliances
ANSI/UL 1083 Household Electric Skillets and Frying-Type Appliances
ANSI/UL 1230 Amateur Movie Lights
ANSI/UL 1236 Battery Chargers for Charging Engine-Starter Batteries
UL 1240 Electric Commercial Clothes-Drying Equipment
ANSI/UL 1278 Movable and Wall-or Ceiling-Hung Electric Room Heaters
ANSI/UL 1310 Class 2 Power Units
ANSI/UL 1409 Low-Voltage Video Products Without Cathode-Ray-Tube
Displays
ANSI/UL 1411 Transformers and Motor Transformers for Use In Audio-,
Radio-, and Television-Type Appliances
ANSI/UL 1418 Implosion-Protected Cathode-Ray Tubes for Television-Type
Appliances
ANSI/UL 1419 Professional Video and Audio Equipment
ANSI/UL 1431 Personal Hygiene and Health Care Appliances
ANSI/UL 1445 Electric Water Bed Heaters
ANSI/UL 1459 Telephone Equipment
ANSI/UL 1559 Insect-Control Equipment, Electrocution Type
ANSI/UL 1561 Dry Type General Purpose and Power Transformers
ANSI/UL 1563 Electric Spas, Equipment Assemblies, and Associated
Equipment
ANSI/UL 1564 Industrial Battery Chargers
ANSI/UL 1570 Fluorescent Lighting Fixtures
ANSI/UL 1571 Incandescent Lighting Fixtures
ANSI/UL 1572 High Intensity Discharge Lighting Fixtures
ANSI/UL 1573 Stage and Studio Lighting Units
ANSI/UL 1574 Track Lighting Systems
ANSI/UL 1585 Class 2 and Class 3 Transformers
UL 1594 Sewing and Cutting Machines
ANSI/UL 1647 Motor-Operated Massage and Exercise Machines
ANSI/UL 1693 Electric Radiant Heating Panels and Heating Panel Sets
ANSI/UL 1727 Commercial Electric Personal Grooming Appliances
ANSI/UL 1776 High-Pressure Cleaning Machines
ANSI/UL 1786 Nightlights
UL 1795 Hydromassage Bathtubs
UL 1838 Low Voltage Landscape Lighting Systems
ANSI/UL 1995 Heating and Cooling Equipment
UL 2021 Fixed and Location-Dedicated Electric Room Heaters
UL 8730-1 Electrical Controls for Household and Similar Use; Part 1:
General Requirements
UL 8730-2-3 Automatic Electrical Controls for Household and Similar
Use; Part 2: Particular Requirements for Thermal Motor Protectors for
Ballasts for Tubular Fluorescent Lamps
UL 8730-2-4 Automatic Electrical Controls for Household and Similar
Use; Part 2: Particular Requirements for Thermal Motor Protectors for
Motor Compressors or Hermetic and Semi-Hermetic Type
UL 8730-2-8 Automatic Electrical Controls for Household and Similar
[[Page 11347]]
Use; Part 2: Particular Requirements for Electrically Operated Water
Valves
The designations and titles of the above test standards were
current at the time of the preparation of this notice.
Conditions
As indicated above, OSHA has concerns regarding the additional
documentation and procedures that TUV will develop and utilize in
testing products to the standards for which the NRTL seeks recognition.
Also, the Agency is concerned about TUV's actual implementation of the
resolution to the discrepancy noted during an on-site review of TUV's
Newtown site. As a result, OSHA plans to recognize TUV subject to a
later assessment of the relevant documentation and procedures.
TUV has general ``procedures'' that it can adapt for each specific
test standard covered by this notice, but it must have specific testing
procedures for a test standard in-place before it undertakes any
testing, and therefore before any certification, of products covered by
the particular test standard. If these procedures are not in place, TUV
would not meet the requirements for continued recognition of the
particular test standard(s). As a result, OSHA plans to impose a
condition on granting the expansion to ensure that TUV does develop and
implement appropriate written procedures for testing to the test
standards covered in this notice. During future on-site visits of the
NRTL, the NRTL Program staff would audit for compliance to the
condition. The Agency would commence the process to revoke recognition
for any test standards for which TUV does not meet the condition.
Similarly, OSHA wants assurance that TUV will properly implement
its resolution to the discrepancy already mentioned. The Agency does
not reveal the specific findings of its on-site reviews because they
often contain specific details that may be confidential or privileged
to the NRTL. For purposes of this notice, OSHA proposes the condition
in terms that the Agency believes are fair to the NRTL and provide
appropriate information to the public.
The conditions that OSHA plans to impose are as follows:
a. TUV must have specific written testing procedures in place
before testing products covered by any test standard for which it is
recognized and must use these procedures in testing and certifying
those products.
b. TUV must restrict the administration, certification, and
qualification activities that it performs in its capacity as an NRTL
only to its Newtown facility. TUV must perform these activities in
accordance with OSHA's relevant policies and criteria for these
activities, and in accordance with its response, to the applicable on-
site review, that OSHA has accepted.
Preliminary Finding on the Application
TUV has submitted an acceptable request for expansion of its
recognition as an NRTL. In processing this request, OSHA performed an
on-site assessment (review) of TUV's facility in Newtown, Connecticut,
on July 12-14, 1999. TUV has addressed the discrepancies noted by the
assessor during the on-site review, following the on-site evaluation.
The resolution to the discrepancies are factored into the on-site
review report (see Exhibit 20).
Following a review of the application file, the on-site review
report, and other pertinent documents, the NRTL Program staff has
concluded that OSHA can grant to the TUV facility listed above the
expansion of recognition to use the additional one hundred-nineteen
(19) test standards, with the conditions to be applied as noted. The
staff therefore recommended to the Assistant Secretary that the
application be preliminarily approved.
Based upon the recommendation of the staff, the Assistant Secretary
has made a preliminary finding that the TUV Rheinland of North America,
Inc., facility listed above can meet the recognition requirements, as
prescribed by 29 CFR 1910.7, for the expansion of recognition, subject
to the above conditions. This preliminary finding does not constitute
an interim or temporary approval of the application.
OSHA welcomes public comments, in sufficient detail, on whether TUV
has met the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.7 for the expansion of its
recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. Your comment
should consist of pertinent written documents and exhibits. To consider
it, OSHA must receive the comment at the address provided above (see
ADDRESS), no later than the last date for comments (see DATES above).
You may obtain or review copies of the TUV request, the on-site review
report, and all submitted comments, as received, by contacting the
Docket Office, Room N2625, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, at the above address. You
should refer to Docket No. NRTL-3-92, the permanent record of public
information on the TUV recognition.
The NRTL Program staff will review all timely comments and, after
resolution of issues raised by these comments, will recommend whether
to grant the TUV expansion request. The Assistant Secretary will make
the final decision on granting the expansion and, in making this
decision, may undertake other proceedings prescribed in Appendix A to
29 CFR Section 1910.7. OSHA will publish a public notice of this final
decision in the Federal Register.
Signed at Washington, D.C. this 10th day of February, 2000.
Charles N. Jeffress,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 00-4966 Filed 3-1-00; 8:45 am]
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