[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 3, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15864-15865]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing 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 nvlap@nist.gov.
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: betty.sandoval@nist.gov.
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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