[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 23, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 34993-34994]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-14137]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket No. 040609175-4175-01]


Establishment of a Laboratory Accreditation Program for Voting 
Systems Under the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) and the 
National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) Procedures, 
the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announces 
that it is establishing an accreditation program for laboratories that 
perform testing of voting systems, including hardware and software 
components. This program will provide for the accreditation of 
laboratories that test voting systems using standards determined by the 
Election Assistance Commission (EAC).
    Laboratories interested in seeking accreditation that will allow 
them to be considered for EAC recognition should contact NVLAP 
immediately.

ADDRESSES: National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program, 100 
Bureau Drive/MS 2140, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2140.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jeffrey Horlick, Program Manager, 
NVLAP, 100 Bureau Drive / MS 2140, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2140, phone 
(301) 975-4016 or e-mail [email protected]. Information regarding 
NVLAP and the accreditation process can also be viewed at www.nist.gov/nvlap.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-252) was 
signed into law by President Bush on October 29, 2002. Section 231 of 
the HAVA requires the Director of NIST to provide for the accreditation 
of laboratories that conduct testing on the hardware and software of 
voting systems. In response to the HAVA, the National Voluntary

[[Page 34994]]

Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) is establishing a program for 
laboratories that test voting systems. This notice is issued in 
accordance with the NVLAP procedures and general requirements, found in 
title 15 part 285 of the Code of Federal Regulations.

Technical Requirements for the Accreditation Process

    Laboratories conducting this testing will be required to meet ISO/
IEC International Standard 17025, General requirements for the 
competence of testing and calibration laboratories, the 2002 Voting 
System Standards, and any other criteria deemed necessary by the EAC.
    Accreditation criteria are established in accordance with the Code 
of Federal Regulations (15 CFR part 285), NVLAP Procedures and General 
Requirements. NVLAP is in full conformance with the standards of the 
International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and the 
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), including ISO/IEC 
17025 and ISO/IEC Guide 58.
    Accreditation is granted to a laboratory following successful 
completion of a process which includes submission of an application and 
payment of fees by the laboratory, an on-site assessment by technical 
experts, resolution of any deficiencies identified during the on-site 
assessment, and participation in proficiency testing. The accreditation 
is formalized through issuance of a Certificate of Accreditation and 
Scope of Accreditation.
    NVLAP provides an unbiased, third-party evaluation and recognition 
of competence. NVLAP accreditation signifies that a laboratory has 
demonstrated that it operates in accordance with NVLAP management and 
technical requirements pertaining to quality systems; personnel; 
accommodation and environment; test and calibration methods; equipment; 
measurement traceability; sampling; handling of test and calibration 
items; and test and calibration reports.
    NVLAP accreditation does not imply any guarantee (certification) of 
laboratory performance or test/calibration data; it is a finding of 
laboratory competence.
    Those laboratories receiving accreditation by NVLAP must still be 
formally recognized by the EAC prior to conducting testing of voting 
systems under HAVA.

PRA Clearance

    This action contains collection of information requirements subject 
to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. Collection activities for 
the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program are currently 
approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
0693-0003. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is 
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty 
for failure to comply with, a collection of information unless it 
displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.

Executive Order 12866

    This action has been determined to be not significant under 
Executive Order 12866.

    Dated: June 17, 2004.
Hratch G. Semerjian,
Acting Director.
[FR Doc. 04-14137 Filed 6-22-04; 8:45 am]
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