[Federal Register: November 3, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 212)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 59616-59617]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03no99-9]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Institute of Standards and Technology

15 CFR Part 285

[Docket No. 990927264.9264.01]

 
National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program; Amendment of 
Regulations

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: On February 20, 1996, the Director of NIST delegated certain 
designated authorities under the National Voluntary Laboratory 
Accreditation Program (NVLAP) regulations to the Chief of the 
Laboratory Accreditation Program at NIST. This document amends the 
NVLAP regulations to reflect the delegation of authority. The 
amendments will only affect Agency organization, procedure and 
practice.

EFFECTIVE DATE: November 3, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chief, Laboratory Accreditation 
Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau 
Drive, Stop 2140, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899-2140; or, by e-mail at 
nvlap@nist.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Title 15 Part 285 of the Code of Federal Regulations sets out 
procedures and general requirements under which the National Voluntary 
Laboratory

[[Page 59617]]

Accreditation Program (NVLAP) operates as an unbiased third party to 
accredit both calibration laboratories and testing laboratories. NVLAP 
accredits laboratories in response to (a) mandates by the Federal 
Government; (b) requests from a government agency; and (c) requests 
from a private sector organization.
    The NVLAP procedures were first published in the Federal Register 
on February 25, 1976, and have been revised several times since then. 
Certain authorities under the NVLAP regulations were given to the 
Director of NIST. In accordance with 15 CFR subpart A, section 285.5, 
the Director of NIST delegated these authorities to the Chief of the 
National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program on February 20, 
1996, in a memorandum to the Director of the Office of Standards 
Services. The delegation of authority was not extended to the 
conclusion of any agreements with the governments of other countries 
referenced in Section 285.11(f) of Title 15 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations.

Purpose

    The purpose of this rule is to amend Part 285 of Title 15 of the 
CFR so that it conforms to the current delegation of authority.

Rulemaking Requirements

    Under Title 5 United States Code Section 553, this rule is not 
subject to the notice and comment requirements of the Administrative 
Procedure Act. This rule only relates to Agency organization, 
management or personnel (5 USC 553 (a)(2)).
    PRA Clearance. This rule does not contain a collection of 
information for purposes of the Paperwork Reduction Act.
    Executive Order 12866: This rule is exempt under Section 3(d)(3) of 
E.O. 12866.
    Regulatory Flexibility Act. This action is exempt from the 
analytical requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act because 
notice and comment are not required for this action by Section 553 of 
the Administrative Procedure Act or any other law.

List of Subjects in 15 CFR Part 285

    Business and industry, Commerce, Laboratories, Measurement 
standards.

    Dated: October 26, 1999.
Karen H. Brown,
Deputy Director.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, Title 15 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations (CFR), part 285 is amended as follows:

PART 285--NATIONAL VOLUNTARY LABORATORY ACCREDITATION PROGRAM

    1. The authority citation for 15 CFR part 285 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 15 U.S.C. 272 et seq.


Sec. 285.3  [Amended]

    2. In Sec. 285.3(c) remove the phrase, ``Director of the National 
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)'' and add, in its place, 
the phrase ``Chief of NVLAP.''


Sec. 285.11  [Amended]

    3. In Sec. 285.11 (a) and (d) introductory text, remove the phrase, 
``Director of NIST'' and add, in its place, the phrase ``Chief of 
NVLAP.''
    4. In Sec. 285.11(e) introductory text, remove the phrase, 
``Director'' and add, in its place, the phrase ``Chief of NVLAP.''


Sec. 285.12  [Amended]

    5. In Sec. 285.12(a) introductory text, (b) introductory text 
(twice), (c), (d), and (e), remove the phrase, ``Director of NIST'' and 
add, in its place, the phrase ``Chief of NVLAP.''


Sec. 285.13  [Amended]

    6. In 285.13 (a) and (d), remove the phrase, ``Director of NIST'' 
and add, in its place, the phrase ``Chief of NVLAP.''


Sec. 285.14  [Amended]

    7. In Sec. 285.14(a) introductory text and (d), remove the phrase, 
``Director of NIST'' and add, in its place, the phrase ``Chief of 
NVLAP.''


Sec. 285.19  [Amended]

    8. In Sec. 285.19(a) (twice) and (c) (twice), remove the phrase, 
``Director of NIST'' and add, in its place, the phrase ``Chief of 
NLAP.''

[FR Doc. 99-28665 Filed 11-2-99; 8:45 am]
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