[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 15, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 15CFR285.8]

[Page 401]
 
                  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
 
Sec. 285.8  Proficiency testing.

    (a) NVLAP proficiency testing is consistent with the provisions 
contained in ISO/IEC Guide 43 (Parts 1 and 2), Proficiency testing by 
interlaboratory comparisons, where applicable, including revisions from 
time to time. Proficiency testing may be organized by NVLAP itself or a 
NVLAP-approved provider of services. Laboratories must participate in 
proficiency testing as specified for each LAP in the NVLAP program 
handbooks.
    (b) Analysis and reporting. Proficiency testing data are analyzed by 
NVLAP and reports of the results are made known to the participants. 
Summary results are available upon request to other interested parties; 
e.g., professional societies and standards writing bodies. The identity 
and performance of individual laboratories are kept confidential.
    (c) Proficiency testing deficiencies. (1) Unsatisfactory 
participation in any NVLAP proficiency testing program is a technical 
deficiency which must be resolved in order to obtain initial 
accreditation or maintain accreditation.
    (2) Proficiency testing deficiencies are defined as, but not limited 
to, one or more of the following:
    (i) Failure to meet specified proficiency testing performance 
requirements prescribed by NVLAP;
    (ii) Failure to participate in a regularly scheduled ``round'' of 
proficiency testing for which the laboratory has received instructions 
and/or materials;
    (iii) Failure to submit laboratory control data as required; and
    (iv) Failure to produce acceptable test or calibration results when 
using NIST Standard Reference Materials or special artifacts whose 
properties are well-characterized and known to NIST/NVLAP.
    (3) NVLAP will notify the laboratory of proficiency testing 
deficiencies and actions to be taken to resolve the deficiencies. Denial 
or suspension of accreditation will result from failure to resolve 
deficiencies.