[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 14, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64044-64045]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-22266]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket No.: 071017605-7606-01]


Establishment of a Laboratory Accreditation Program for 
Laboratories That Test Personal Body Armor

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 of laboratories that 
perform testing of body armor using National Institute of Justice draft 
standard 0101.06 Ballistic Resistance of Personal Body Armor developed 
by the NIST Office of Law Enforcement Standards for the Department of 
Justice (DoJ). Additional standards may be added in the future.

DATES: Laboratories interested in seeking accreditation are required to 
submit an application to NVLAP and pay required fees. Laboratories 
wishing to be considered for accreditation in the first group must 
submit applications by

[[Page 64045]]

December 15, 2007. Laboratories whose applications are received after 
that date will be considered on an as-received basis.

ADDRESSES: Laboratories may obtain NIST Handbook 150, NVLAP Procedures 
and General Requirements, NIST Handbook 150-24, Personal Body Armor, 
and an application for accreditation for this program by calling (301) 
975-4016, by writing to NVLAP Body Armor 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]. All applications for accreditation must be submitted 
to: NVLAP/Accounts, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
Building 101, Room A800, 100 Bureau Drive/MS 1624, Gaithersburg, MD 
20899-1624.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Hazel M. Richmond, Program Manager, 
NIST/NVLAP, 100 Bureau Drive/MS 2140, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2140, 
Phone: (301) 975-3024, 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 Justice (DoJ), National Institute 
of Justice (NIJ) requested that NIST establish a laboratory 
accreditation program for laboratories that test body armor for the DoJ 
law enforcement certification program. In response to the request from 
NIJ, and after consultation with interested parties through public 
workshops and other means, the Chief of NVLAP established an 
accreditation program for laboratories that test for the ballistic 
resistance of personal body armor.
    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 assessments are conducted in accordance with the National 
Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program regulations, which are found 
at 15 CFR 285. NVLAP accreditation is in full conformance with relevant 
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, a review of the laboratory 
management system documentation, an on-site assessment by technical 
experts, participation in proficiency testing, and resolution of any 
management system or technical nonconformities identified during any 
phase of the application process. 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 body armor are given in the draft NIST Handbook 
150-24, Personal Body Armor. 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 must be competent to perform the tests prescribed in 
the standard.

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.
    For this program, the laboratory shall provide a copy of its 
management system documents, including quality manual and related 
documentation, where appropriate, prior to the on-site assessment. 
NVLAP will review the management system documentation and discuss any 
nonconformities with the Authorized Representative before the on-site 
visit. Laboratories that apply for accreditation will be required to 
pay NVLAP fees and undergo on-site assessment and shall meet 
proficiency testing requirements before initial accreditation can be 
granted.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    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 NVLAP are currently approved by OMB under control number 
0693-0003. Notwithstanding any other provisions 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: November 6, 2007.
Richard F. Kayser,
Acting Deputy Director.
 [FR Doc. E7-22266 Filed 11-13-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P