- Author
-
White, V. R.
- Title
- National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program. 2001 Directory.
- Coporate
- National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
- Report
-
NIST SP 810
March 2001
430 p.
- Distribution
- AVAILABLE FROM Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20401-0003. Telephone: 202-512-1800. Website: http://www.gpo.gov For more information contact: Current information on the accreditation status of a laboratory can be obtained by contacting NVLAP as follows: Chief, Laboratory Accreditation Program, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Stop 2140, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-02140 USA. Telephone: 301-975-4016, Fax: 301-926-2884, Email: [email protected] For more information contact: NVLAP also maintains a directory of accredited laboratories on the Internet, which is updated quarterly. Website: http://www.nist.gov/nvlap
- Keywords
-
laboratories
|
directories
|
test facilities
- Identifiers
- National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP)
- Abstract
- The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) administers the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP). NVLAP is comprised of a series of laboratory accreditation programs (LAPS) which are established on the basis of requests and demonstrated need. Each LAP includes specific calibration and/or test standards and related methods and protocols assembled to satisfy the unique needs for accreditation in a field of testing or calibration. NVLAP accredits public and private laboratories based on evaluation of their technical qualifications and competence to carry out specific calibrations or tests. Accreditation criteria are published in the Code of Federal Regulations (Title 15, Part 285) as a part of the NVLAP Procedures and General Requirements, and encompass the requirements of ISO/IEC Guide 25 and the relevant requirements of IS0 9002. Accreditation is granted following successful completion of a process which includes submission of an application and payment of fees by the laboratory, an on-site assessment, resolution of any deficiencies identified during the on-site assessment, participation in proficiency testing, and technical evaluation. The accreditation is formalized through issuance of a Certificate of Accreditation and Scope of Accreditation and publicized by announcement in various government and private media. NVLAP accreditation is available to commercial laboratories; manufacturers' in-house laboratories; university laboratories; and federal, state, and local government laboratories. Foreign-based laboratories may also be accredited if they meet the same requirements as domestic laboratories and pay any additional fees required for travel expenses. NVLAP provides an unbiased third party evaluation and recognition of performance, as well as expert technical guidance to upgrade laboratory performance. NVLAP accreditation signifies that a laboratory has demonstrated that it operates in accordance with NVLAP requirements in the following areas: accommodation and environment; calibration and test methods; certificates and reports; complaints; equipment and reference materials; handling of calibration and test items; measurement traceability and calibration; organization and management; outside support services and supplies; personnel; quality system, audit and review; records; and subcontracting. NVLAP accreditation does not imply any guarantee (certification) of laboratory performance or test/calibration data; it is solely a finding of laboratory competence. A laboratory may cite its accredited status and use the NVLAP logo on reports, stationery, and in business and trade publications provided that this use does not imply product certification. This Directory of laboratories is published annually and lists the name, address, contact person, phone and fax numbers, e-mail and URL addresses (if available), accreditation renewal date, and scope of accreditation for each laboratory. An updated listing of laboratories is published quarterly on NVLAP's home page on the Internet: http://ts.nist.gov/nvlap. Accreditation Renewal Date: A laboratory accreditation is valid for one year and commences on one of four dates: January 1, April 1, July 1, or October 1; an accreditation will terminate after one year unless renewed by the laboratory. Users of this Directory who are considering selection of accredited laboratories should be aware of the renewal date and verify that the laboratory has retained its accreditation at the time its services are to be provided. Verification of accreditation status can be obtained by contacting NVLAP.