[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 97 (Friday, May 19, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29126-29127]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-7676]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket No. 060404094-6094-01]


Notice of Termination of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology's Providers of Proficiency Testing Program

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Voluntary Laboratory 
Accreditation Program (NVLAP) regulations, the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology (NIST) is announcing that the NVLAP Chemical 
Calibration, Providers of Proficiency Testing Program (PPT) will be 
terminated, effective at the close of business on September 30, 2006. 
For further information, interested parties may contact Mr. C. Douglas 
Faison at the address below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be directed to C. 
Douglas Faison at (301) 975-5304; via e-mail at [email protected] or by 
mail at the Standards Services Division, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2140, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2140.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the regulations, Title 15 
CFR 285.5, NIST is announcing that, effective COB September 30, 2006, 
the Chemical Calibration, Programwill be terminated.
    In 1999, the NVLAP PPT program was created to assume the role and 
responsibilities formerly provided by the United States Environmental 
Protection Agency's (USEPA) Water Proficiency Evaluation Program. The 
purpose of the NVLAP PPT program is to review and accredit laboratories 
for their competence to characterize samples and to conduct proficiency 
test programs to support USEPA requirements for environmental

[[Page 29127]]

laboratories. Accreditation is offered in those areas necessary to 
support environmental laboratory testing of drinking water and waste 
water. The PPT program is a competence based program, meaning 
Proficiency Testing Providers are periodically assessed and found 
competent to prepare and analyze samples and to conduct studies. 
Proficiency Testing Providers are re-evaluated every two years 
requiring a complete review of their competence and their performance 
on studies conducted. Proficiency Testing Providers are also required 
to participate in proficiency testing activities administered by the 
NIST Analytical Chemistry Division (ACD).
    In 2003, the National Environmental Accreditation Conference 
(NELAC) published the NELAC Standard, which modified and made more 
stringent the accreditation requirements for Proficiency Testing 
Providers. The NELAC standard requires that Proficiency Testing 
Providers be accredited by a Proficiency Testing Oversight Body (PTOB)/
Proficiency Test Provider Accreditor (PTPA). Chapter 2 of the NELAC 
Standard sets out the requirements for the operation of a PTOB/PTPA. 
Specifically, clauses D.4 and D.5 of Chapter 2, Appendix D, require 
that the PTOB/PTPA provide ongoing oversight of Proficiency Testing 
Providers and the PTOB/PTPA develop and maintain a comprehensive 
database for the purpose of statistical monitoring of Proficiency 
Testing Providers' study data.
    The NVLAP PPT program does not meet the requirements to be a PTOB/
PTPA because it does not include ongoing oversight and NVLAP does not 
have the resources to develop and maintain the required database. 
NVLAP, therefore, did not apply to serve as a PTOB/PTPA and does not 
wish to be recognized by NELAC as having a program that meets the 
requirement for service as a PTOB/PTPA.
    NELAC has approved at least one PTOB/PTPA that will satisfy the 
original need and that meets current requirements. NVLAP has been 
informed that this PTOB/PTPA's program will be operational by June 30, 
2006. NVLAP will maintain the accreditations of the current NVLAP-
accredited Proficiency Testing Providers until September 30, 2006, to 
ensure continuity in coverage. After that date, Proficiency Testing 
Providers will be able to obtain accreditation from a NELAC-approved 
PTOB/PTPA.

    Dated: May 10, 2006.
Hratch G. Semerjian,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. E6-7676 Filed 5-18-06; 8:45 am]
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