Announcement of the Establishment of a Laboratory Accreditation Program (LAP) for Laboratories Performing Interoperability, Performance, and Conformance Biometrics Testing Under the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program and Technical Requirements for Such a LAP, 72451-72453 [E8-28376]
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 230 / Friday, November 28, 2008 / Notices
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tina.faecke@nist.gov and her phone
number is (301) 975–5911.
Dated: November 20, 2008.
Patrick Gallagher,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. E8–28311 Filed 11–26–08; 8:45 am]
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.
Harry Hertz, Director, Baldrige National
Quality Program, National Institute of
Standards and Technology,
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899,
telephone number (301) 975–2361.
Dated: November 20, 2008.
Patrick Gallagher,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. E8–28312 Filed 11–26–08; 8:45 am]
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and
Technology
BILLING CODE 3510–13–P
Malcolm Baldrige National Quality
Award Board of Overseers
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards
and Technology; Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
AGENCY:
Pursuant to the Federal
Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. app.
2, notice is hereby given that there will
be a meeting of the Board of Overseers
of the Malcolm Baldrige National
Quality Award on December 11, 2008.
The Board of Overseers is composed of
eleven members prominent in the fields
of quality, innovation, and performance
management and appointed by the
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advise the Secretary of Commerce on
the conduct of the Baldrige Award. The
purpose of this meeting is to discuss
and review information received from
the National Institute of Standards and
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National Quality Award. The agenda
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Panel, Baldrige Program (BNQP)
Update, BNQP Strategic Plan, Potential
STEM (Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Math) Education
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Award Application fees, and
Recommendations for the NIST
Director.
National Institute of Standards and
Technology
[Docket No.: 080122071–81377–02]
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
SUMMARY:
The meeting will convene
December 11, 2008, at 8:30 a.m. and
adjourn at 3 p.m. on December 11, 2008.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
the National Institute of Standards and
DATES:
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:16 Nov 26, 2008
Jkt 217001
Announcement of the Establishment of
a Laboratory Accreditation Program
(LAP) for Laboratories Performing
Interoperability, Performance, and
Conformance Biometrics Testing
Under the National Voluntary
Laboratory Accreditation Program and
Technical Requirements for Such a
LAP
National Institute of Standards
and Technology, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: Under the National Voluntary
Laboratory Accreditation Program
(NVLAP) the National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST)
announces the establishment of a
laboratory accreditation program and
the availability of applications for
accreditation of laboratories that
perform biometric testing including
interoperability, performance, and
conformance testing using
internationally recognized standards
developed by the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI), NIST, and
by the International Committee for
Information Technology Standards
(INCITS). Additional standards may be
identified throughout the development
of the accreditation program technical
requirements.
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
72451
Laboratories may obtain
NIST Handbook 150, NVLAP
Procedures and General Requirements,
NIST Handbook 150–25, Biometrics,
and an application for this program by
calling (301) 975–4016, by writing to
NVLAP Biometrics Testing Manager,
National Voluntary Laboratory
Accreditation Program, 100 Bureau
Drive/MS 2140, Gaithersburg, MD
20899–2140, or by sending e-mail to
nvlap@nist.gov. All applications for
accreditation must be submitted to:
NVLAP/Accounts, National Institute of
Standards and Technology, Building
101, Room A800, 100 Bureau Drive/MS
1624, Gaithersburg, MD 20899–1624.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad
Moore, Program Manager, NIST/NVLAP,
100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2140,
Gaithersburg, MD 20899–2140, Phone:
(301) 975–5740 or e-mail:
brad.moore@nist.gov.
Information regarding National
Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation
Program (NVLAP) and the accreditation
process can be obtained from https://
www.nist.gov/nvlap.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: In 2007, the United
States Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) requested that NIST
establish a laboratory accreditation
program for laboratories performing
interoperability, performance, and
conformance biometrics testing on
Personal Identification Verification
equipment used in Homeland Security
Applications. According to guidance
developed by DHS, laboratory
accreditation by NVLAP is a
recommended step in assuring
reliability and quality practices as part
of a conformance test program for
biometric access control devices.1
Biometric technologies such as facial,
fingerprint, iris, and voice recognitions
are used to verify the identity of
individuals attempting to gain access to
secure areas. The purpose of the
proposed Biometrics Laboratory
Accreditation Program is to evaluate
testing laboratories’ technical
competencies against known standards
and testing criteria that will ultimately
be used to provide confidence in the
performance of biometric sub-systems.
In accordance with NVLAP
procedures (15 CFR Part 285), on
February 29, 2008, NIST published a
notice in the Federal Register
requesting comments on the proposed
establishment of a laboratory
accreditation program for laboratories
ADDRESSES:
1 Guidance Package on Biometrics for Airport
Access Control released in October 2005, Volume
1: Requirements Document, Chapter 2 Operational
System Requirements.
E:\FR\FM\28NON1.SGM
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72452
Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 230 / Friday, November 28, 2008 / Notices
performing testing, interoperability,
performance, and conformance
biometrics testing under the National
Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation
Program (73 FR 11093). The comment
period closed on March 31, 2008. Five
responses to this request for comments
were received and are summarized
below. NVLAP held a public workshop
on July 1, 2008 to solicit further
comments on the establishment of a
Biometrics Testing LAP and on the
technical requirements to be associated
with the LAP. A transcript of the
workshop question and answer session
is available on request from NVLAP,
National Institute of Standards and
Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Mail
Stop 2140, Gaithersburg, Maryland
20899–2140; phone 301–975–4016; fax
301–926–2884; e-mail: nvlap@nist.gov.
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
Summary of Comments
Four of five comments received
supported NIST’s establishment of an
accreditation program to recognize the
competence of biometrics testing
laboratories in support of DHS. Two
responses were from testing laboratories
(one non-profit and one for-profit) that
provide standards-based performance
testing of biometrics technologies. One
response was from a state department of
justice. One response was from a
provider (vendor) of biometric identity
management systems, applications and
services. The fifth response, from a nonprofit accreditation body, stated that
there was no need for a government
program since there were four
nationally and internationally
recognized U.S. private sector laboratory
accreditation bodies capable of offering
this type of accreditation.
Determination
DHS requirements are intended to set
a level field for vendors seeking to
demonstrate that their equipment meets
federal, state and local procurement and
grant guidance requirements. These
requirements stipulate that vendor
equipment must undergo type testing by
a third party laboratory that has been
accredited by a recognized laboratory
accreditation body to specific
requirements for laboratories
conducting biometric performance
testing. These specific requirements
include the required minimum
performance standard for the
enrollment, matching and transaction
time metrics for biometric subsystems.
Requirements for airport access control
systems are further documented in the
2005 TSA Guidance Package. DHS
requirements also stipulate the need to
ensure consistency across laboratories
that perform biometrics subsystem
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:16 Nov 26, 2008
Jkt 217001
testing. The current estimate of the
number of laboratories that are likely to
seek accreditation under this program is
between three and five.
There are no recognized laboratory
accreditation bodies in the private
sector that currently meet DHS
requirements. Of the five nationally and
internationally recognized private sector
bodies currently in operation, only one
offers accreditation in the general
Information Technology field of testing,
and none offer accreditation to the DHSstipulated specific program
requirements for biometrics testing.
In addition, the expertise to
competently run specific biometrics
tests called out by DHS has not been
widely demonstrated in the private
sector and tests have not been
conducted extensively on commercial
equipment to date. Test method
execution and test result consistency
and comparability are critical issues in
biometrics testing based on the new
applications of biometrics for identity
management in homeland security.
NIST technical staff are leading and
participating in the development of
many of these test methods A laboratory
accreditation organization with
published accreditation requirements
for biometrics testing laboratories, an
active proficiency testing program for all
participating laboratories, and access to
technical experts in the testing
methodology associated with new
applications of biometrics for identity
management in homeland security is
needed to support this DHS program.
There is no existing private sector
program that meets these requirements.
Based on careful analysis of
comments received both during the
public comment period and in the
public workshop, and a detailed review
of DHS requirements, the Chief of
NVLAP has determined that the
establishment of a LAP for laboratories
performing inoperability, performance,
and conformance biometrics testing on
Personal Identification Verification
equipment used in Homeland Security
Applications best meets government
needs.
This notice is issued in accordance
with NVLAP procedures and general
requirements, found in Title 15 Part 25
of the Code of Federal Regulations.
NVLAP provides an unbiased, thirdparty evaluation and recognition of
competence. NVLAP accreditation
signifies that a laboratory has
demonstrated that it operates in
accordance with NVLAP management
and technical requirements pertaining
to quality systems, personnel,
accommodation and environment, test
and calibration methods, equipment,
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
measurement traceability, sampling,
handling of test and calibration items,
and test and calibration reports.
NVLAP accreditation does not imply
any guarantee (certification) of
laboratory performance or test/
calibration data. NVLAP accreditation is
a finding of laboratory competence.
Technical Requirements for the
Accreditation Process: NVLAP
assessments are conducted in
accordance with the National Voluntary
Laboratory Accreditation Program
regulations, which are found at 15 CFR
part 285. NVLAP accreditation is in full
conformance with relevant standards of
the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) and the
International Electrotechnical
Commission (IEC), including ISO/IEC
17025.
Accreditation is granted to a
laboratory following successful
completion of a process, which includes
submission of an application and
payment of fees by the laboratory, a
review of the laboratory management
system documentation, an on-site
assessment by technical experts,
participation in proficiency testing, and
resolution of any management system or
technical nonconformities identified
during any phase of the application
process. The accreditation is formalized
through issuance of a Certification of
Accreditation and Scope of
Accreditation.
General requirements for
accreditation are given in NIST
Handbook 150, NVLAP Procedures and
General Requirements. The specific
technical and administrative
requirements for the program for
accreditation of laboratories that test
biometrics are given the draft NIST
Handbook 150–25, Biometrics.
Laboratories must meet all NVLAP
criteria and requirements in order to
become accredited. To be considered for
accreditation, the applicant laboratory
must provide a completed application to
NVLAP, pay all required fees, agree to
conditions for accreditation, and must
be competent to perform the tests
prescribed in the standard.
Application Requirements: (1) Legal
name and full address of the laboratory;
(2) Ownership of the laboratory; (3)
Authorization Representative’s name
and contact information; (4) Names,
titles, and contact information for
laboratory staff nominated to serve as
Approved Signatories of test and
calibration reports that reference
NVLAP accreditation; (5) Organization
chart defining relationships that are
relevant to performing testing and
calibrations covered in the accreditation
request; (6) General description of
E:\FR\FM\28NON1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 230 / Friday, November 28, 2008 / Notices
laboratory, including its facilities and
scope of operations; and (7) Requested
scope and accreditation.
For this program, the laboratory shall
provide a copy of its management
system documents, including quality
manual and related documentation,
where appropriate, prior to the on-site
assessment. NVLAP will review the
management system documentation and
discuss any nonconformities with the
Authorized Representative before the
on-site visit. Laboratories that apply for
accreditation will be required to pay
NVLAP fees and undergo on-site
assessment and shall meet proficiency
testing requirements before initial
accreditation can be granted.
Paperwork Reduction Act: This action
contains a collection of information
requirement subject to review and
approval by the Office of Management
and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork
Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995. Collection
activities for NVLAP are currently
approved by OMB under control
number 0693–0003.
Notwithstanding any other provisions
of the law, no person is required to
respond to, nor shall any person be
subject to a penalty for failure to comply
with a collection of information unless
it displays a currently valid OMB
Control Number.
Dated: November 20, 2008.
Patrick Gallagher,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. E8–28376 Filed 11–26–08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Patent and Trademark Office
[Docket No. PTO–C–2008–0056]
National Medal of Technology and
Innovation Nomination Evaluation
Committee Meeting
United States Patent and
Trademark Office.
ACTION: Notice of closed meeting.
mstockstill on PROD1PC66 with NOTICES
AGENCY:
SUMMARY: The National Medal of
Technology and Innovation (NMTI)
Nomination Evaluation Committee will
meet in closed session on Monday,
December 15, 2008. The primary
purpose of the meeting is the discussion
of relative merits of persons and
companies nominated for the NMTI
award.
DATES: The meeting will convene
Monday, December 15, 2008, at 9 a.m.,
and adjourn at 1 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
the United States Patent and Trademark
VerDate Aug<31>2005
17:16 Nov 26, 2008
Jkt 217001
Office, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria,
VA, 22314.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer Lo, Program Manager, National
Medal of Technology and Innovation
Program, United States Patent and
Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450,
Alexandria, VA 22313–1450, telephone
(571) 272–7640, or by electronic mail:
nmti@uspto.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant
to the Federal Advisory Committee Act,
5 U.S.C. app. 2, notice is hereby given
that the NMTI Nomination Evaluation
Committee, United States Patent and
Trademark Office, will meet at the
United States Patent and Trademark
Office campus in Alexandria, Virginia.
The NMTI Nomination Evaluation
Committee was established in
accordance with the provisions of the
NMTI Nomination Evaluation
Committee’s charter and the Federal
Advisory Committee Act. The NMTI
Nomination Evaluation Committee
meeting will be closed to the public in
accordance with section 552b(c)(4), (6)
and (9)(B) of Title 5, United States Code,
because it will involve discussion of
relative merits of persons and
companies nominated for the NMTI.
Public disclosure of this information
would likely frustrate implementation
of the NMTI program because premature
publicity about candidates under
consideration for the NMTI award, who
may or may not ultimately receive the
award, would be likely to discourage
nominations for the award. The
Secretary of Commerce is responsible
for recommending to the President
prospective NMTI recipients. The NMTI
Nomination Evaluation Committee
makes its recommendations for the
NMTI candidates to the Secretary of
Commerce, who in turn makes
recommendations to the President for
final selection. NMTI Nomination
Evaluation Committee members are
drawn from both the public and private
sectors and are appointed by the
Secretary for three-year terms, with
eligibility for one reappointment. The
NMTI Nomination Evaluation
Committee members are composed of
distinguished experts in the fields of
science, technology, business and patent
law. The General Counsel formally
determined on November 21, 2008,
pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal
Advisory Committee Act, that the
meeting may be closed because
Committee members are concerned with
matters that are within the purview of
5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(4), (6) and (9)(B). Due
to closure of the meeting, copies of the
minutes of the meeting will not be
available. A copy of the determination
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72453
is available for public inspection at the
United States Patent and Trademark
Office.
Dated: November 21, 2008.
Jon W. Dudas,
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual
Property and Director of the United States
Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. E8–28254 Filed 11–26–08; 8:45 am]
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Office of the Secretary
[Docket No. DoD–2008-OS–0147]
Submission for OMB Review;
Comment Request
ACTION:
Notice.
The Department of Defense has
submitted to OMB for clearance, the
following proposal for collection of
information under the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C.
Chapter 35).
DATES: Consideration will be given to all
comments received by December 29,
2008.
Title, Form and OMB Number:
Department of Defense Education
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Request; DoDEA Form 2071.3–F1: OMB
Control Number 0704–TBD.
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Needs and Uses: The Department of
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The DoDEA operates 223 schools in 16
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The DoDEA receives requests from
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Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 230 (Friday, November 28, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72451-72453]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-28376]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket No.: 080122071-81377-02]
Announcement of the Establishment of a Laboratory Accreditation
Program (LAP) for Laboratories Performing Interoperability,
Performance, and Conformance Biometrics Testing Under the National
Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program and Technical Requirements
for Such a LAP
AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Commerce.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Under the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program
(NVLAP) the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
announces the establishment of a laboratory accreditation program and
the availability of applications for accreditation of laboratories that
perform biometric testing including interoperability, performance, and
conformance testing using internationally recognized standards
developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), NIST,
and by the International Committee for Information Technology Standards
(INCITS). Additional standards may be identified throughout the
development of the accreditation program technical requirements.
ADDRESSES: Laboratories may obtain NIST Handbook 150, NVLAP Procedures
and General Requirements, NIST Handbook 150-25, Biometrics, and an
application for this program by calling (301) 975-4016, by writing to
NVLAP Biometrics Testing Manager, National Voluntary Laboratory
Accreditation Program, 100 Bureau Drive/MS 2140, Gaithersburg, MD
20899-2140, or by sending e-mail to nvlap@nist.gov. All applications
for accreditation must be submitted to: NVLAP/Accounts, National
Institute of Standards and Technology, Building 101, Room A800, 100
Bureau Drive/MS 1624, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1624.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brad Moore, Program Manager, NIST/
NVLAP, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2140, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-2140, Phone:
(301) 975-5740 or e-mail: brad.moore@nist.gov.
Information regarding National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation
Program (NVLAP) and the accreditation process can be obtained from
https://www.nist.gov/nvlap.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background: In 2007, the United States Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) requested that NIST establish a laboratory accreditation
program for laboratories performing interoperability, performance, and
conformance biometrics testing on Personal Identification Verification
equipment used in Homeland Security Applications. According to guidance
developed by DHS, laboratory accreditation by NVLAP is a recommended
step in assuring reliability and quality practices as part of a
conformance test program for biometric access control devices.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Guidance Package on Biometrics for Airport Access Control
released in October 2005, Volume 1: Requirements Document, Chapter 2
Operational System Requirements.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biometric technologies such as facial, fingerprint, iris, and voice
recognitions are used to verify the identity of individuals attempting
to gain access to secure areas. The purpose of the proposed Biometrics
Laboratory Accreditation Program is to evaluate testing laboratories'
technical competencies against known standards and testing criteria
that will ultimately be used to provide confidence in the performance
of biometric sub-systems.
In accordance with NVLAP procedures (15 CFR Part 285), on February
29, 2008, NIST published a notice in the Federal Register requesting
comments on the proposed establishment of a laboratory accreditation
program for laboratories
[[Page 72452]]
performing testing, interoperability, performance, and conformance
biometrics testing under the National Voluntary Laboratory
Accreditation Program (73 FR 11093). The comment period closed on March
31, 2008. Five responses to this request for comments were received and
are summarized below. NVLAP held a public workshop on July 1, 2008 to
solicit further comments on the establishment of a Biometrics Testing
LAP and on the technical requirements to be associated with the LAP. A
transcript of the workshop question and answer session is available on
request from NVLAP, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100
Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 2140, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-2140; phone
301-975-4016; fax 301-926-2884; e-mail: nvlap@nist.gov.
Summary of Comments
Four of five comments received supported NIST's establishment of an
accreditation program to recognize the competence of biometrics testing
laboratories in support of DHS. Two responses were from testing
laboratories (one non-profit and one for-profit) that provide
standards-based performance testing of biometrics technologies. One
response was from a state department of justice. One response was from
a provider (vendor) of biometric identity management systems,
applications and services. The fifth response, from a non-profit
accreditation body, stated that there was no need for a government
program since there were four nationally and internationally recognized
U.S. private sector laboratory accreditation bodies capable of offering
this type of accreditation.
Determination
DHS requirements are intended to set a level field for vendors
seeking to demonstrate that their equipment meets federal, state and
local procurement and grant guidance requirements. These requirements
stipulate that vendor equipment must undergo type testing by a third
party laboratory that has been accredited by a recognized laboratory
accreditation body to specific requirements for laboratories conducting
biometric performance testing. These specific requirements include the
required minimum performance standard for the enrollment, matching and
transaction time metrics for biometric subsystems. Requirements for
airport access control systems are further documented in the 2005 TSA
Guidance Package. DHS requirements also stipulate the need to ensure
consistency across laboratories that perform biometrics subsystem
testing. The current estimate of the number of laboratories that are
likely to seek accreditation under this program is between three and
five.
There are no recognized laboratory accreditation bodies in the
private sector that currently meet DHS requirements. Of the five
nationally and internationally recognized private sector bodies
currently in operation, only one offers accreditation in the general
Information Technology field of testing, and none offer accreditation
to the DHS-stipulated specific program requirements for biometrics
testing.
In addition, the expertise to competently run specific biometrics
tests called out by DHS has not been widely demonstrated in the private
sector and tests have not been conducted extensively on commercial
equipment to date. Test method execution and test result consistency
and comparability are critical issues in biometrics testing based on
the new applications of biometrics for identity management in homeland
security. NIST technical staff are leading and participating in the
development of many of these test methods A laboratory accreditation
organization with published accreditation requirements for biometrics
testing laboratories, an active proficiency testing program for all
participating laboratories, and access to technical experts in the
testing methodology associated with new applications of biometrics for
identity management in homeland security is needed to support this DHS
program. There is no existing private sector program that meets these
requirements.
Based on careful analysis of comments received both during the
public comment period and in the public workshop, and a detailed review
of DHS requirements, the Chief of NVLAP has determined that the
establishment of a LAP for laboratories performing inoperability,
performance, and conformance biometrics testing on Personal
Identification Verification equipment used in Homeland Security
Applications best meets government needs.
This notice is issued in accordance with NVLAP procedures and
general requirements, found in Title 15 Part 25 of the Code of Federal
Regulations.
NVLAP provides an unbiased, third-party evaluation and recognition
of competence. NVLAP accreditation signifies that a laboratory has
demonstrated that it operates in accordance with NVLAP management and
technical requirements pertaining to quality systems, personnel,
accommodation and environment, test and calibration methods, equipment,
measurement traceability, sampling, handling of test and calibration
items, and test and calibration reports.
NVLAP accreditation does not imply any guarantee (certification) of
laboratory performance or test/calibration data. NVLAP accreditation is
a finding of laboratory competence.
Technical Requirements for the Accreditation Process: NVLAP
assessments are conducted in accordance with the National Voluntary
Laboratory Accreditation Program regulations, which are found at 15 CFR
part 285. NVLAP accreditation is in full conformance with relevant
standards of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), including ISO/
IEC 17025.
Accreditation is granted to a laboratory following successful
completion of a process, which includes submission of an application
and payment of fees by the laboratory, a review of the laboratory
management system documentation, an on-site assessment by technical
experts, participation in proficiency testing, and resolution of any
management system or technical nonconformities identified during any
phase of the application process. The accreditation is formalized
through issuance of a Certification of Accreditation and Scope of
Accreditation.
General requirements for accreditation are given in NIST Handbook
150, NVLAP Procedures and General Requirements. The specific technical
and administrative requirements for the program for accreditation of
laboratories that test biometrics are given the draft NIST Handbook
150-25, Biometrics. Laboratories must meet all NVLAP criteria and
requirements in order to become accredited. To be considered for
accreditation, the applicant laboratory must provide a completed
application to NVLAP, pay all required fees, agree to conditions for
accreditation, and must be competent to perform the tests prescribed in
the standard.
Application Requirements: (1) Legal name and full address of the
laboratory; (2) Ownership of the laboratory; (3) Authorization
Representative's name and contact information; (4) Names, titles, and
contact information for laboratory staff nominated to serve as Approved
Signatories of test and calibration reports that reference NVLAP
accreditation; (5) Organization chart defining relationships that are
relevant to performing testing and calibrations covered in the
accreditation request; (6) General description of
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laboratory, including its facilities and scope of operations; and (7)
Requested scope and accreditation.
For this program, the laboratory shall provide a copy of its
management system documents, including quality manual and related
documentation, where appropriate, prior to the on-site assessment.
NVLAP will review the management system documentation and discuss any
nonconformities with the Authorized Representative before the on-site
visit. Laboratories that apply for accreditation will be required to
pay NVLAP fees and undergo on-site assessment and shall meet
proficiency testing requirements before initial accreditation can be
granted.
Paperwork Reduction Act: This action contains a collection of
information requirement subject to review and approval by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of
1995. Collection activities for NVLAP are currently approved by OMB
under control number 0693-0003.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of the law, no person is
required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty
for failure to comply with a collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.
Dated: November 20, 2008.
Patrick Gallagher,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. E8-28376 Filed 11-26-08; 8:45 am]
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