[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 41 (Friday, February 29, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 11093]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-3938]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket No.: 080122071-8073-01]


Notice and Request for Comments on Proposed Establishment of a 
Laboratory Accreditation Program for Laboratories Performing 
Interoperability, Performance, and Conformance Biometrics Testing Under 
the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and Request for Comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 
publishes this notice requesting comments on the proposed establishment 
of an accreditation program for laboratories that perform biometric 
testing including interoperability, performance, and conformance using 
internationally recognized standards developed by the American National 
Standards Institute (ANSI), NIST, and by the International Committee 
for Information Technology Standards (INCITES). Additional standards 
may be identified throughout the development of the accreditation 
program technical requirements.

DATES: Comments must be received by March 31, 2008.

ADDRESSES: National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program, 100 
Bureau Drive, Stop 2140, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2140 or by sending e-
mail to: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Moore, Program Manager, NIST/
NVLAP, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2140, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2140, Phone: 
(301) 975-5740 or e-mail: [email protected]. Information regarding 
National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) and the 
accreditation process can be obtained from 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 
performing interoperability, performance and conformance biometrics 
testing on Personal Identification Verification equipment used in 
Homeland Security Applications. Biometric technologies such as facial, 
fingerprint, retinal, and voice recognitions are used to verify the 
identity of individuals attempting to gain access to secure areas. The 
purpose of the proposed Biometrics Laboratory Accreditation Program is 
to evaluate testing laboratories' technical competencies against known 
standards and testing criteria that will ultimately be used to provide 
confidence in the performance of biometric sub-systems.
    Upon the request from DHS, NVLAP requests comments on the proposed 
establishment of an accreditation program for laboratories performing 
interoperability, performance, and conformance biometrics testing. This 
notice is issued in accordance with NVLAP procedures and general 
requirements, found in title 15 part 258 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations. NIST will also consult with interested parties through 
public workshops that will be announced at a later date.

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 
accreditation is in full conformance with the standards of the 
International Organization for Standards (ISO) and the International 
Electrotechnical Commission Standardization (IEC), including ISO/IEC 
17025.
    Accreditation will be granted to a laboratory following successful 
completion of a process, which will include submission of an 
application and payment of fees by the laboratory, an on-site 
assessment by technical experts, resolution of any nonconformities 
identified during the on-site assessment, and participation in 
proficiency testing. The accreditation will be formalized though 
insurance 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.
    Paperwork Reduction Act 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 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.
    E.O. 12866: This action has been determined to be not significant 
under Executive Order 12866.

    Dated: February 22, 2008.
Richard F. Kayser,
Acting Deputy Director.
 [FR Doc. E8-3938 Filed 2-28-08; 8:45 am]
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