[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 3, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15864-15865]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-6177]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket No.: 0612242610-7036-01]


Establishment of and Availability of Applications for the 
Laboratory Accreditation Program for Radiation Detection Instruments 
Under the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Under the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program 
(NVLAP) the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 
announces the establishment of a laboratory accreditation program and 
the availability of applications for accreditation for laboratories 
that perform testing of radiation detection instruments using standards 
developed by the American National Standards Institute, Homeland 
Security Instrumentation and Radiation Protection Instrumentation 
groups.

DATES: Laboratories interested in seeking accreditation are required to 
submit an application to NVLAP and pay required fees. Applications will 
be considered as received.

ADDRESSES: Laboratories may obtain requirement documents and an 
application for accreditation for this program by calling (301) 975-
4016, by writing to Radiation Detection Instrument Testing Program 
Manager, National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program, 100 
Bureau Drive/MS 2140, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2140, or by sending e-mail 
to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Betty Ann Sandoval, Senior Program 
Manager, NIST/NVLAP, 100 Bureau Drive/MS 2140, 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) 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 from DHS, and after 
consultation with interested parties through public workshops and other 
means, the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) 
has established an accreditation program for laboratories that test 
radiation detection instruments.
    This notice is issued in accordance with 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 accreditation 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 non-conformities 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.
    General requirements for accreditation are given in NIST Handbook 
150, NVLAP Procedures and General Requirements. The specific technical 
and administrative requirements for the program for accreditation of 
laboratories that test radiation detection instruments are given in 
NIST Handbook 150-23, Homeland Security Applications--Radiation 
Detection Instruments. Laboratories must meet all NVLAP criteria and 
requirements in order to become accredited. To be considered for 
accreditation, the applicant laboratory must provide a completed 
application to NVLAP, pay all required fees, agree to conditions for 
accreditation, and provide a quality manual to NVLAP (or a designated 
NVLAP assessor) prior to the beginning of the assessment process.

Application Requirements

    (1) Legal Name and full address of the laboratory;
    (2) Ownership of the laboratory;
    (3) Authorized Representative's name and contact information;
    (4) Names, titles and contact information for laboratory staff 
nominated to serve as Approved Signatories of test or calibration 
reports that reference NVLAP accreditation;
    (5) Organization chart defining relationships that are relevant to 
performing testing and calibrations covered in the accreditation 
request;
    (6) General description of the laboratory, including its facilities 
and scope of operations; and
    (7) Requested scope of accreditation.
    In addition, the laboratory shall provide a copy of its quality 
manual and related documentation, where appropriate, prior to the on-
site assessment. NVLAP will review the quality management documentation 
and discuss any noted nonconformities with the Authorized 
Representative before the on-site visit. Laboratories that apply for 
accreditation will be required to pay for NVLAP fees and undergo on-
site assessment and shall meet proficiency testing requirements before 
initial accreditation can be granted.

PRA Clearance

    This action contains a collection of information requirements 
subject to review and approval by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under

[[Page 15865]]

the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. Collection activities for 
NVLAP are currently approved by 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.

    Dated: March 27, 2007.
James E. Hill,
Acting Deputy Director.
 [FR Doc. E7-6177 Filed 4-2-07; 8:45 am]
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