[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 15, Volume 1, Parts 0 to 299]
[Revised as of January 1, 2001]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 15CFR285.11]

[Page 413]
 
                  TITLE 15--COMMERCE AND FOREIGN TRADE
 
 CHAPTER II--NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY, DEPARTMENT 
                               OF COMMERCE
 
PART 285--NATIONAL VOLUNTARY LABORATORY ACCREDITATION PROGRAM--Table of Contents
 
                      Subpart B--Establishing a LAP
 
Sec. 285.11  Requesting a LAP.


    (a) A request to establish a LAP must be made to the Chief of NVLAP.
    (b) Each request must be in writing and must include:
    (1) The scope of the LAP in terms of products, calibration services, 
or testing services proposed for inclusion;
    (2) Specific identification of the applicable standards and test 
methods including appropiate designations, and the orgainizations or 
standards writing bodies having responsibility for them;
    (3) A statement of need for the LAP including:
    (i) Evidence of a national need to accredit calibration or testing 
laboratories for the specific scope beyond that served by an existing 
laboratory accreditation program in the public or private sector;
    (ii) Evidence of a national need to accredit testing laboratories 
for the specific scope beyond that served by an existing laboriatory 
accreditation program in the public or private sector;
    (iii) An estimate of the number of laboratories that may seek 
accreditation; and
    (iv) An estimate of the number and nature of the users of such 
laboratories; and
    (4) A stratement of the extent to which the requestor is willing to 
support necessary developmental aspects of the LAP with funding and 
personnel.
    (c) NVLAP may request clarification of the information submitted 
according to paragraph (b) of this section.
    (d) Before determining the need for a LAP, the Chief of NVLAP shall 
publish a Federal Register notice of the receipt of a LAP request if the 
request complies with Sec. 7.11(b). The notice will:
    (1) Describe the scope of the requested LAP;
    (2) Indicate how to obtain a copy of the request; and
    (3) State that anyone may submit comments on the need for a LAP to 
NVLAP within 60 days of the date of the notice.
    (e) Following receipt of the identification of a mandate for a LAP 
based on legislative or administrative action, the Chief of NVLAP shall 
publish a Federal Register notice:
    (1) Stating the purpose of the LAP including the national or 
international need;
    (2) Describing the general scope of the LAP;
    (3) Identifying government agencies having oversight; and
    (4) Providing information to any interested party wishing to be on 
the NVLAP mailing list to receive routine information on the development 
of the LAP.
    (f) Consistent with applicable laws and regulations, the Director 
may negotiate and conclude agreements with the governments of other 
countries for NVLAP recognition of foreign laboratories. At a minimum, 
any agreement must provide that accredited foreign laboratories meet 
conditions for accreditation comparable to and consistent with those set 
out in these requirements.

[49 FR 44623, Nov. 8, 1984, as amended at 55 FR 38314, Sept. 18, 1990. 
Redesignated and amended at 59 FR 22747, May 3, 1994; 64 FR 59617, Nov. 
3, 1999]