[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 31, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Page 53277]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-21698]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

[Docket Number 100325170-0222-01]


Notice of Intent To Terminate Selected National Voluntary 
Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) Services

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The National Institute of Standards and Technology announces 
its intention to terminate the Commercial Products Testing Laboratory 
Accreditation Program offered by NVLAP. The Commercial Products Testing 
Laboratory Accreditation Program includes the following areas of 
testing: paints and related coatings, paper and related products, 
building seals and sealants, plastics, plumbing, roofing, and 
mattresses.

DATES: The Commercial Products Testing Laboratory Accreditation Program 
will be terminated effective September 30, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Chief, National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program, 
National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 
2140, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2140; e-mail to: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sally Bruce, Chief, National Voluntary 
Laboratory Accreditation Program, (301) 975-4016; e-mail: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The National Institute of Standards and 
Technology administers the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation 
Program (NVLAP) under regulations found in Part 285 of Title 15 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations. NVLAP provides an unbiased third-party 
evaluation and recognition of laboratory performance, as well as expert 
technical assistance to upgrade that performance, by accrediting 
calibration and testing laboratories found competent to perform 
specific calibrations or tests.
    NVLAP is comprised of a set of Laboratory Accreditation Programs 
(LAPs) that are established on the basis of requests and demonstrated 
need. Each LAP includes specific test and/or calibration standards and 
related methods and protocols assembled to satisfy the unique needs for 
accreditation in the field of testing or calibration.
    Under the NVLAP Procedures found at 15 CFR part 285, the Chief of 
NVLAP may terminate a specific Laboratory Accreditation Program (LAP) 
when he/she determines that a need no longer exists to accredit 
laboratories for the services covered under the scope of the LAP. 
Pursuant to 15 CFR part 285, the Chief of NVLAP has determined that a 
need no longer exists to accredit laboratories for the services covered 
under the Commercial Products Testing LAP and that the Commercial 
Products Testing LAP will be terminated.
    The Commercial Products Testing LAP includes the following areas of 
testing: paints and related coatings, paper and related products, 
building seals and sealants, plastics, plumbing, roofing, and 
mattresses. The purpose of this program is to supply unbiased third-
party evaluation and attestation of testing competence of manufacturer 
and independent testing laboratories in the given fields.
    A review of the Commercial Products Testing LAP revealed that there 
are four (4) laboratories enrolled in the plumbing area. Two of the 
plumbing laboratories are also accredited for plastic and paint testing 
in support of plumbing testing. Three of the four plumbing laboratories 
carry redundant accreditation by the International Accreditation 
Service (IAS), an accreditation body recognized by the International 
Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC), for plumbing testing, and 
for plastic and paint testing for the two laboratories also accredited 
in those fields. Terminating the Commercial Products Testing LAP will 
allow those three laboratories to eliminate the duplicate 
accreditations, saving each between $4,000 and $8,000 per year in fees. 
All other areas of testing within the Commercial Products Testing LAP 
are covered by nongovernmental ILAC-recognized accrediting bodies 
within the United States.
    As a result of this review, the Chief of NVLAP has decided to 
terminate this LAP because there is no longer a need to accredit 
laboratories for the services covered under the scope of this LAP.
    Effective on September 30, 2010, NVLAP will no longer grant or 
renew accreditations under the terminated program. A laboratory 
currently accredited under the LAP will remain accredited until the 
expiration of its current accreditation unless earlier termination is 
requested by the laboratory.
    E.O. 12866: This action has been determined to be not significant 
under Executive Order 12866.

    Dated: August 25, 2010.
Harry S. Hertz,
Director, Baldrige National Quality Program.
[FR Doc. 2010-21698 Filed 8-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-13-P