[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 29 (Monday, February 12, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5990-5991]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02746]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology


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

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Chief of the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology's (NIST) National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program 
(NVLAP) may terminate a specific Laboratory Accreditation Program (LAP) 
when it is determined that a need no longer exists to accredit 
laboratories for the services covered under the scope of the LAP. The 
Chemical Calibration: Certifiers of Spectrophotometric NIST Traceable 
Reference Materials (NTRMs) Program is comprised of laboratories that 
design, prepare, characterize, certify and distribute NTRM filter 
reference materials. Based on a lack of participation, the Chief of 
NVLAP has preliminarily determined that a need no longer exists to 
accredit laboratories for the services covered under the scope of this 
program and is proposing termination of the LAP. NIST is requesting 
written comment on the proposed termination.

DATES: Comments on the proposed termination must be received no later 
than April 13, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the proposed terminations must be submitted to: 
Chief, National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program, National 
Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2140, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2140, or by email at [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dana Leaman, Chief, National Voluntary 
Laboratory Accreditation Program, (301) 975-4016 or 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NIST administers NVLAP under regulations 
found in 15 CFR part 285. 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 LAPS 
which 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, field of calibration, product, 
or service.
    Under 15 CFR 285.5, the Chief of NVLAP may terminate a specific LAP 
when it is determined that a need no longer exists to accredit 
laboratories for the services covered under the scope of the LAP. The 
Chemical Calibration: Certifiers of Spectrophotometric NTRMs Program is 
comprised of laboratories that design, prepare, characterize, certify 
and distribute NTRM filter reference materials. A review of the 
Chemical Calibration: Certifiers of

[[Page 5991]]

Spectrophotometric NTRMs Program revealed that there are zero (0) 
laboratories enrolled in the program. Based on the lack of 
participation, the Chief of NVLAP has preliminarily determined that a 
need no longer exists to accredit laboratories for the services covered 
under the scope of the Chemical Calibration: Certifiers of 
Spectrophotometric NTRMs Program and proposes termination of the LAP.
    After the comment period, the Chief of NVLAP shall determine if 
there is public support for the continuation of the LAP. If public 
comments support the continuation of the LAP, the Chief of NVLAP shall 
publish a Federal Register notice announcing its continuation. If 
public support does not exist for continuation, a notice of termination 
shall be published in the Federal Register within 90 days after the 
close of the comment period. If the LAP is terminated, NVLAP shall no 
longer grant or renew accreditations under the terminated program 
following the effective date of termination.

Kevin Kimball,
NIST Chief of Staff.
[FR Doc. 2018-02746 Filed 2-9-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-13-P