[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: 15CFR285.32]

[Page 418]
 
                  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 D--Conditions and Criteria For Accreditation
 
Sec. 285.32  Conditions for accreditation

    (a) To become accredited and maintain accreditation, a laboratory 
shall agree in writing to:
    (1) Be assessed and evaluated initially and on a periodic basis;
    (2) Demonstrate, on request, that it is able to perform the 
calibrations or tests representative of those for which it is seeking 
accreditation;
    (3) Pay all fees;
    (4) Participate in proficiency testing as required;
    (5) Be capable of performing the calibrations or tests for which it 
is accredited according to the latest version of the calibration or test 
method within one year after its publication or within another time 
limit specified by NVLAP;
    (6) Limit the representation of the scope of its accreditation to 
only those calibrations, tests or services for which accreditation is 
granted;
    (7) Resolve all deficiencies;
    (8) Limit all its work or services of clients to those areas where 
competence and capacity are available;
    (9) Maintain records of all actions taken in response to complaints 
for a minimum of one year;
    (10) Maintain an independent decisional relationship between itself 
and its clients, affiliates, or other organizations so that the 
laboratory's capacity to render calibration or test reports objectively 
and without bias is not adversely affected;
    (11) Report to NVLAP within 30 days any major changes involving the 
location, ownership, management structure, authorized representative, 
approved signatories, or facilities of the laboratory; and
    (12) Return to NVLAP the Certificate of Accreditation and the Scope 
of Accreditation for revision or other action should it:
    (i) Be requested to do so by NVLAP;
    (ii) Voluntarily terminate its accredited status; or
    (iii) Become unable to conform to any of these conditions, the 
applicable criteria of Sec. 285.33, and related technical requirements.
    (b) To become accredited and maintain accreditation, a laboratory 
shall supply, upon request, the following information:
    (1) Legal name and full address;
    (2) Ownership of the laboratory;
    (3) Organization chart defining relationships that are relevant to 
performing testing and calibrations covered in the accreditation 
request;
    (4) General description of the laboratory, including its facilities 
and scope of operation;
    (5) Name, address, and telephone and FAX number of the authorized 
representative of the laboratory;
    (6) Names or titles and qualifications of laboratory staff nominated 
to serve as approved signatories of calibration or test reports that 
reference NVLAP accreditation;
    (7) The laboratory Quality Manual; and
    (8) Other information as may be needed for the specific LAP(s) in 
which accreditation is sought.

[59 FR 22749, May 3, 1994]