Fastener Quality Act (FQA)

The Fastener Quality Act (FQA), Public Law 101-592, was signed by President Bush on November 16, 1990. Since its enactment the FQA has been amended three times (Pub L. 104-113, Pub L. 105-234, and Pub L. 106-34) to further clarify and define the requirements of the original Act.

The Act protects the public safety by: (1) requiring that certain fasteners sold in commerce conform to the specifications to which they are represented to be manufactured,  (2) providing for accreditation of laboratories engaged in fastener testing, and (3) requiring inspection, testing and certification in accordance with standardized methods.

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• Text of the Law
• PDF of the Law
• Summary of the Major Amendments to the FQA
• Federal Register Notice Announcing Final Rule
• Procedures for Implementation of the FQA
• FQA Violation Hotline
• List of Self-declared Accreditation Bodies
• Self-Declaration Forms for Accreditation Bodies
• Instructions for Laboratories to Apply for NVLAP Accreditation
• Accredited Laboratory List
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Fastener Insignia Register and Recordal