[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 145 (Friday, July 26, 1996)] [Notices] [Page 39120] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-19008] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Institute of Standards and Technology International Laboratory Accreditation Conference (ILAC) 1996 AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce. ACTION: Notice of meeting. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The International Laboratory Accreditation Conference (ILAC) will meet in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, from September 9-13, 1996. Those wishing to join the U.S. delegation or to participate in review of the meeting agenda and related issues are invited to attend a pre- conference meeting at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on August 23, 1996. ILAC, an informal organization with representatives from approximately 45 nations and 12 international organizations, aims to promote: (1) The development of national programs for accrediting testing laboratories, (2) the employment of harmonized accreditation criteria, and (3) the development of bilateral or multilateral arrangements which would encourage importers to accept the results of tests and data made by laboratories that have been accredited under a laboratory accreditation program in exporting nations. DATES: The pre-conference meeting will be held Friday, August 23, 1996, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in conference room 152 at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, NIST North, 820 West Diamond Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anyone wishing to attend these meetings or seeking additional information should contact Dr. Belinda L. Collins, Director, Office of Standards Services: by mail at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Building 820, Room 282, Gaithersburg, MD 20899; by telephone at 301-975-4000 or by fax on 301-963-2871. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ILAC conferences have been held since 1977 to develop information about laboratory accreditation systems, to provide a forum for discussing differences among such systems, to describe basic principles and criteria for operating such systems, and to develop bilateral or other arrangements which would establish mutual recognition of such systems or of test reports issued by laboratories accredited under such systems. These bilateral arrangements are intended to minimize technical barriers to trade. The U.S. delegation has to date been chaired by the Director of the NIST Office of Standards Services. Those interested in serving with the U.S. delegation, using their own financial resources for registration fees, hotel accommodations, food, and travel expenses, can do so by registering with the Registration Secretariat, CAOS. Delegates should have a background in standards development, laboratory accreditation, produce testing or product certification activities. Conference registration materials are available from NIST. Notice is given that the U.S. delegation at its August 23 meeting will review documents distributed in advance of the ILAC meeting to be held in Amsterdam during September 13-19, 1996. All persons planning to attend ILAC meeting, as well as those interested in the meeting but unable to attend, are invited to participate in this pre-conference meeting. At the meeting the agenda will be reviewed, along with committee reports and issues and recommendations to be considered at the plenary meeting. U.S. delegation consensus positions will be developed as appropriate. Dated: July 19, 1996. Samuel Kramer, Associate Director. [FR Doc. 96-19008 Filed 7-25-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-13-M