[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 70 (Thursday, April 11, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17722-17725]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-8768]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. NRTL1-88]


MET Laboratories, Inc.; Applications for Renewal and Expansion of 
Recognition

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the applications of MET Laboratories, 
Inc., for renewal of its recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing 
Laboratory under 29 CFR 1910.7, and for expansion of its recognition to 
include additional test standards, and presents the Agency's 
preliminary finding. This preliminary finding does not constitute an 
interim or temporary approval of these applications.

DATES: Comments submitted by interested parties, or any request for 
extension of the time to comment, must be received no later than April 
26, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comments concerning this notice to: Docket 
Office, Docket NRTL1-88, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety 
and Health Administration, Room N2625, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., 
Washington, DC 20210; telephone: (202) 693-2350. Commenters may 
transmit written comments of 10 pages or less in length by facsimile to 
(202) 693-1648. Submit requests for extensions concerning this notice 
to: Office of Technical Programs and Coordination Activities, NRTL

[[Page 17723]]

Program, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department 
of Labor, Room N3653, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 
20210.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernard Pasquet or Sherrey Nicolas, 
Office of Technical Programs and Coordination Activities, NRTL Program, 
Room N3653 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 MET Laboratories, Inc. (MET), has applied for renewal 
and for expansion of its recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing 
Laboratory (NRTL). MET's expansion requests cover the use of two 
additional test standards. OSHA's current scope of recognition for MET 
may be found in the following informational web page: http://www.osha-slc.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl/met.html.
    OSHA recognition of an NRTL signifies that the organization has met 
the legal requirements in Sec. 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, employers may use products ``properly certified'' by the 
NRTL to meet OSHA standards that require testing and certification.
    The Agency processes applications by an NRTL for initial 
recognition or for expansion or renewal of this recognition following 
requirements in Appendix A to 29 CFR 1910.7. This appendix requires 
that the Agency publish two notices in the Federal Register in 
processing an application. In the first notice, OSHA announces the 
application and provides its preliminary finding and, in the second 
notice, the Agency provides its final decision on the application. 
These notices set forth the NRTL's scope of recognition or 
modifications of that scope. We maintain an informational web page for 
each NRTL, which details its scope of recognition. These pages can be 
accessed from our Web site at http://www.osha-slc.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl/index.html.
    The most recent notice published by OSHA for MET's recognition 
covered an expansion of recognition to include additional standards, 
which became effective on September 26, 2001 (66 FR 49211). The other 
Federal Register notices related to MET's recognition that OSHA has 
published, since MET's previous renewal of recognition, addressed an 
expansion for additional standards, which was announced on November 10, 
1998 (63 FR 63085), and granted on March 9, 1999 (64 FR 11502). The 
renewal would incorporate all of these recognitions granted to MET.
    The current address of the MET facility (site) already recognized 
by OSHA is: MET Laboratories, Inc., 914 West Patapsco Avenue, 
Baltimore, Maryland 21230.

General Background on the Applicant and Applications

    MET Laboratories, Inc., was incorporated in Baltimore, Maryland, in 
October, 1959, as Eastern Electrical Testing Laboratories. The name was 
changed one year later to Maryland Electrical Testing Company. The name 
changed again to MET Electrical Testing Company in 1973. MET Electrical 
Testing Company applied to OSHA for recognition as a Nationally 
Recognized Testing Laboratory in April 1988. On May 16, 1989 (54 FR 
21136), it received this initial recognition.
    Appendix A to 29 CFR 1910.7 stipulates that the period of 
recognition of an NRTL is five years and that an NRTL may renew its 
recognition by applying not less than nine months, nor more than one 
year, before the expiration date of its current recognition. NRTLs 
submitting requests within this allotted time period retain their 
recognition during OSHA's renewal process. Under its current name, MET 
Laboratories, Inc., it applied for its first renewal of recognition in 
August 1993, which OSHA announced, along with other MET applications, 
on August 6, 1996 (61 FR 41661). OSHA granted the renewal on November 
20, 1996 (61 FR 59114).
    MET has submitted a request, dated February 9, 2001 (see exhibit 
28), to renew its recognition, within the allotted time period, and 
retains its recognition pending OSHA's final decision in this renewal 
process. MET's existing scope of recognition consists of the facility 
listed above, and the test standards and supplemental programs listed 
below under Renewal of Recognition.
    Also, MET has submitted a request, dated February 13, 2002 (see 
exhibit 28-1), to expand its recognition to include two additional test 
standards. The OSHA NRTL Program Staff has determined that it can grant 
recognition for the two test standards listed below under Expansion of 
Recognition because it has determined the standards are ``appropriate 
test standards,'' within the meaning of 29 CFR 1910.7(c). The staff 
makes such determinations in processing applications from any NRTL.

Renewal of Recognition

    MET seeks renewal of its recognition for the one site that OSHA has 
previously recognized. In processing MET's renewal request, OSHA NRTL 
Program staff performed an on-site review of MET's facility on October 
1 and 3, 2001. In the on-site review report (see Exhibit 29), the staff 
recommended a ``positive finding,'' which means a positive 
recommendation to the Assistant Secretary regarding the renewal.
    MET also seeks renewal of its recognition for testing and 
certification of products for demonstration of conformance to the 
following 102 test standards, which OSHA has previously recognized for 
MET. Except as explained below (see paragraph immediately following 
listing of standards), all these standards are ``appropriate,'' within 
the meaning of 29 CFR 1910.7(c).

ANSI C12.1 Code for Electricity Meters
ANSI/IEEE C57.13 Terminology and Test Code for Instrument Transformers
ANSI/UL 5 Surface Metal Raceways and Fittings
ANSI/UL 22 Electric Amusement Machines
UL 45 Portable Electric Tools
ANSI/UL 50 Enclosures for Electrical Equipment
ANSI/UL 65 Electric Wired Cabinets
ANSI/UL 73 Electric Motor-Operated Appliances
ANSI/UL 122 Electric Photographic Equipment
ANSI/UL 130 Electric Heating Pads
ANSI/UL 153 Portable Electric Lamps
ANSI/UL 187 X-Ray Equipment
ANSI/UL 197 Commercial Electric Cooking Appliances
ANSI/UL 201 Garage Equipment
ANSI/UL 231 Electrical Power Outlets
UL 416 Refrigerated Medical Equipment
ANSI/UL 469 Musical Instruments and Accessories
ANSI/UL 471 Commercial Refrigerators and Freezers
ANSI/UL 482 Portable Sun/Heat Lamps
ANSI/UL 484 Room Air Conditioners
ANSI/UL 499 Electric Heating Appliances
UL 506 Specialty Transformers
ANSI/UL 507 Electric Fans
ANSI/UL 508 Electric Industrial Control Equipment
ANSI/UL 514A Metallic Outlet Boxes, Electrical
UL 544 Electric Medical and Dental Equipment
UL 664 Commercial Dry-Cleaning Machines (Type IV)

[[Page 17724]]

ANSI/UL 676 Underwater Lighting Fixtures
ANSI/UL 698 Industrial Control Equipment for Use in Hazardous 
(Classified) Locations
ANSI/UL 705 Power Ventilators
UL 745-1 Portable Electric Tools
UL 745-2-1 Particular Requirements of Drills
UL 745-2-2 Particular Requirements for Screwdrivers and Impact Wrenches
UL 745-2-3 Particular Requirements for Grinders, Polishers, and Disk-
Type Sanders
UL 745-2-4 Particular Requirements for Sanders
UL 745-2-5 Particular Requirements for Circular Saws and Circular 
Knives
UL 745-2-6 Particular Requirements for Hammers
UL 745-2-8 Particular Requirements for Shears and Nibblers
UL 745-2-9 Particular Requirements for Tappers
UL 745-2-11 Particular Requirements for Reciprocating Saws
UL 745-2-12 Particular Requirements for Concrete Vibrators
UL 745-2-14 Particular Requirements for Planers
UL 745-2-17 Particular Requirements for Routers and Trimmers
UL 745-2-30 Particular Requirements for Staplers
UL 745-2-31 Particular Requirements for Diamond Core Drills
UL 745-2-32 Particular Requirements for Magnetic Drill Presses
UL 745-2-33 Particular Requirements for Portable Bandsaws
UL 745-2-34 Particular Requirements for Strapping Tools
UL 745-2-35 Particular Requirements for Drain Cleaners
UL 745-2-36 Particular Requirements for Hand Motor Tools
UL 745-2-37 Particular Requirements for Plate Jointers
ANSI/UL 751 Vending Machines
UL 763 Motor-Operated commercial Food Preparing Machines
UL 775 Graphic Arts Equipment
ANSI/UL 813 Commercial Audio Equipment
ANSI/UL 859 Personal Grooming Appliances
UL 869A Standard for Service Equipment
ANSI/UL 886* Outlet Boxes and Fittings for Use in Hazardous 
(Classified) Locations
ANSI/UL 913 Intrinsically Safe Apparatus and Associated apparatus for 
Use in Class I, II, and III, Division 1, Hazardous Locations
ANSI/UL 923 Microwave Cooking Appliances
UL 935 Fluorescent-Lamp Ballasts
ANSI/UL 982 Motor-Operated Household Food Preparing Machines
ANSI/UL 1012 Power Supplies
ANSI/UL 1017 Vacuum Cleaning Machines and Blower Cleaners
ANSI/UL 1018 Electric Aquarium Equipment
UL 1026 Electric Household Cooking and Food Serving Appliances
UL 1028 Hair Clipping and Shaving Appliances
ANSI/UL 1042 Electric Baseboard Heating Equipment
ANSI/UL 1054 Special-Use Switches
ANSI/UL 1069 Hospital Signaling and Nurse-Call System
UL 1083 Household Electric Skillets and Frying-Type Appliances
ANSI/UL 1203* Explosion-Proof and Dust-Ignition-Proof Electrical 
Equipment for Use in Hazardous (Classified) Locations
UL 1236 Battery Chargers for Charging Engine-Starter Batteries
UL 1244 Electrical and Electronic Measuring and Testing Equipment
UL 1248 Engine-Generator Assemblies for Use in Recreational Vehicles
ANSI/UL 1262 Laboratory Equipment
ANSI/UL 1270 Radio Receivers, Audio Systems, and Accessories
ANSI/UL 1310 Direct Plug-In Transformer Units
ANSI/UL 1409 Low-Voltage Video Products Without Cathode-Ray-Tube 
Displays
ANSI/UL 1410 Television Receivers and High-Voltage Video Products
ANSI/UL 1411 Transformers and Motor Transformers for Use in Audio-, 
Radio-, and Television-Type Appliances
UL 1431 Personal Hygiene and Health Care Appliances
UL 1449 Transient Voltage Surge Suppressors
UL 1459 Telephone Equipment
UL 1492 Audio-Video Products and Accessories
ANSI/UL 1570 Fluorescent Lighting Fixtures
ANSI/UL 1571 Incandescent Lighting Fixtures
UL 1598 Luminaries
ANSI/UL 1573 Stage and Studio Lighting Units
UL 1585 Class 2 and Class 3 Transformers
UL 1604 Electrical Equipment for Use In Class I and II, Division 2, and 
Class III Hazardous (Classified) Locations
ANSI/UL 1638 Visual Signaling Appliances--Private Mode Emergency and 
General Utility Signaling
ANSI/UL 1647 Motor-Operated Massage and Exercise Machines
UL 1778 Uninterruptible Power Supply Equipment
UL 1786 Nightlights
UL 1950 Safety of Information Technology Equipment, Including 
Electrical Business Equipment
UL 1993 Self-Ballasted Lamps and Lamp Adapters
UL 1995 Heating and Cooling Equipment
UL 2601-1 Medical Electrical Equipment, Part 1: General Requirements 
for Safety
UL 3101-1 Electrical Equipment for Laboratory Use; Part 1: General 
Requirements
UL 3111 Electrical Measuring and Test Equipment; Part 1: General 
Requirements
UL 6500 Audio/Visual and Musical Instrument Apparatus for Household, 
Commercial, and Similar General Use
*Testing and certification of products under this test standard is 
limited to Class I locations. Explosion testing is also limited to 
current test chamber capabilities.

    At the time of preparation of this preliminary notice, some of the 
test standards for which OSHA currently recognizes MET, and which are 
listed above, have been withdrawn or replaced by the standards 
developing organization. Under OSHA policy regarding such withdrawn or 
replaced test standards, OSHA can no longer recognize the NRTL for the 
test standards, but the NRTL may request recognition for comparable 
test standards, i.e., other appropriate test standards covering similar 
types of product testing. However, a number of other NRTLs also are 
recognized for these withdrawn or replaced standards. As a result, OSHA 
will publish a separate notice to make the appropriate substitutions 
for MET and the other NRTLs that were recognized for these standards.
    OSHA's recognition of MET, or 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. Consequently, an NRTL's scope of 
recognition excludes any product(s) falling within the scope of a test 
standard for which OSHA has no NRTL testing and certification 
requirements.
    Many of the Underwriters Laboratories Inc. (UL) test standards 
listed above also are approved as American National Standards by the 
American National Standards Institute (ANSI). However, for convenience 
in compiling the list, we use the designation of the standards 
developing organization (e.g., UL 1012) for the standard, as opposed to 
the ANSI designation (e.g., ANSI/UL 1012). Under our procedures, an 
NRTL recognized for an ANSI-approved test standard may

[[Page 17725]]

use either the latest proprietary version of the test standard or the 
latest ANSI version of that standard, regardless of whether it is 
currently recognized for the proprietary or ANSI version. Contact ANSI 
or the ANSI Web site (http://www.ansi.org) and click ``NSSN'' to find 
out whether or not a test standard is currently ANSI-approved.

Programs and Procedures

    The renewal would include MET's continued use of the following 
supplemental programs and procedures, based upon the criteria detailed 
in the March 9, 1995 Federal Register notice (60 FR 12980, 3/9/95). 
This notice lists nine (9) programs and procedures (collectively, 
programs), eight of which an NRTL may use to control and audit, but not 
actually to generate, the data relied upon for product certification. 
An NRTL's initial recognition will always include the first or basic 
program, which requires that all product testing and evaluation be 
performed in-house by the NRTL that will certify the product. OSHA has 
already recognized MET for these programs. See http://www.osha-slc.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl/met.html.

Program 2: Acceptance of testing data from independent organizations, 
other than NRTLs.
Program 3: Acceptance of product evaluations from independent 
organizations, other than NRTLs.
    Program 4: Acceptance of witnessed testing data.
    Program 5: Acceptance of testing data from non-independent 
organizations.
Program 6: Acceptance of evaluation data from non-independent 
organizations (requiring NRTL review prior to marketing).
Program 7: Acceptance of continued certification following minor 
modifications by the client.
Program 8: Acceptance of product evaluations from organizations that 
function as part of the International Electrotechnical Commission 
Certification Body (IEC-CB) Scheme.
Program 9: Acceptance of services other than testing or evaluation 
performed by subcontractors or agents.

    OSHA developed these programs to limit how an NRTL may perform 
certain aspects of its work and to permit the activities covered under 
a program only when the NRTL meets certain criteria. In this sense, 
they are special conditions that the Agency places on an NRTL's 
recognition. OSHA does not consider these programs in determining 
whether an NRTL meets the requirements for recognition under 29 CFR 
1910.7. However, these programs help to define the scope of that 
recognition.

Expansion of Recognition

    MET seeks recognition for testing and certification of products for 
demonstration of conformance to the following two test standards, and 
OSHA has determined that the standards are ``appropriate'' within the 
meaning of 29 CFR 1910.7(c).

UL 924 Emergency Lighting and Power Equipment
UL 1008 Transfer Switch

    The NRTL Program staff did not perform an on-site review in 
connection with the expansion request but reviewed information 
pertinent to this request and provided a positive recommendation on the 
expansion (see Exhibit 29-1).

Preliminary Finding

    MET has submitted acceptable requests for renewal and expansion of 
its recognition as an NRTL. Following a review of the application 
files, and other pertinent information, the NRTL Program staff has 
concluded that OSHA can grant to MET: (1) the renewal for the one site 
and the test standards and programs listed above, and (2) the expansion 
for the additional two test standards, also listed above. The staff 
therefore recommended to the Assistant Secretary that the applications 
be preliminarily approved.
    Based upon the recommendation of the staff, the Assistant Secretary 
has made a preliminary finding that MET Laboratories, Inc., can meet 
the requirements as prescribed by 29 CFR 1910.7 for the renewal and 
expansion of its recognition.
    OSHA welcomes public comments, in sufficient detail, as to whether 
MET has met the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.7 for the renewal and 
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 ADDRESSES), no later than the last date for 
comments (see DATES above). Should you need more time to comment, OSHA 
must receive your written request for extension at the address provided 
above (also see ADDRESSES) no later than the last date for comments 
(also see DATES above). You must include your reason(s) for any request 
for extension. OSHA will limit an extension to 30 days, unless the 
requester justifies a longer period. We may deny a request for 
extension if it is frivolous or otherwise unwarranted. You may obtain 
or review copies of MET's requests, the on-site review report, other 
exhibits, 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. NRTL1-88, the permanent record of public 
information on MET's recognition.
    The NRTL Program staff will review all timely comments and, after 
resolution of issues raised by these comments, will recommend whether 
to grant MET's renewal and expansion requests. The Assistant Secretary 
will make the final decision on granting the renewal and expansion and, 
in making this decision, may undertake other proceedings that are 
prescribed in Appendix A to 29 CFR 1910.7. OSHA will publish a public 
notice of this final decision in the Federal Register.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 3rd day of April, 2002.
John L. Henshaw,
Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 02-8768 Filed 4-10-02; 8:45 am]
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