[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 17, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Page 2525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-413]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket 051229349-5349-01]


Establishment of a Laboratory Accreditation Program for Radiation 
Detection Instruments Under National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation 
Program

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 
publishes this notice to announce that it is establishing an 
accreditation program for laboratories that perform testing of 
radiation detection instruments. This program will provide for the 
accreditation of laboratories that test radiation detection instruments 
using standards developed by the American National Standards Institute 
(ANSI) and the Homeland Security Instrumentation (HSI) and Radiation 
Protection Instrumentation (RPI) groups.

DATES: Laboratories interested in seeking accreditation that will allow 
them to be considered for Department of Homeland Security recognition 
should contact NVLAP immediately.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Betty Ann Torres, Senior Program 
Manager, NVLAP, 100 Bureau Drive/MS2140, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2140, 
Phone: (301) 975-8446 or e-mail: [email protected]. Information 
regarding NVLAP and the accreditation process can be viewed at http://www.nist.gov/nvlap.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has 
requested that NIST establish a laboratory accreditation program for 
laboratories that test radiation detection instruments used in homeland 
security applications. In response to the request by DHS, National 
Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) is establishing an 
accreditation program for laboratories that test radiation detection 
instruments.
    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

    NVLAP accreditation criteria are established in accordance with the 
Code of Federal Regulations (CFR, title 15, 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.
    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. NVLAP accreditation is 
a finding of laboratory competence.

PRA Clearance

    This action contains a collection of information requirements 
subject to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. Collection 
activities for National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program are 
currently approved by the OMB 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: January 10, 2006.
Hratch G. Semerjian,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. E6-413 Filed 1-13-06; 8:45 am]
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