Nationally recognized testing laboratories, etc.: MET Laboratories, Inc.,

[Federal Register: March 9, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 45)]

[Notices]

[Page 11502-11503]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr09mr99-120]

DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

[Docket No. NRTL-1-88]

MET Laboratories, Inc., Expansion of Recognition

AGENCY: Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

SUMMARY: This notice announces the Agency's final decision on application of MET Laboratories, Inc. (MET), for expansion of its recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) under 29 CFR 1910.7.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This recognition becomes effective on March 9, 1999 and, unless modified in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.7, continues in effect while MET remains recognized by OSHA as an NRTL.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bernard Pasquet, Office of Technical Programs and Coordination Activities, NRTL Program, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N3653, Washington, DC 20210, or phone (202) 693-2110.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Notice of Final Decision

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) hereby gives notice of the expansion of recognition of MET Laboratories, Inc. (MET), as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) to include the use of the additional test standards listed below. OSHA recognizes an organization as an NRTL and processes applications related to such recognitions following requirements in Section 1910.7 of Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (29 CFR 1910.7). Appendix A to this section requires that OSHA

[[Page 11503]]

publish this public notice of its final decision on an application.

MET submitted a request, dated June 3, 1998 (see Exhibit 20A), to expand its recognition to use additional test standards. MET provided some additional information related to this request on August 21, 1998 (see Exhibit 20B). MET will notify OSHA, as stated in this letter, regarding a change in its existing capability to perform explosion tests. Relatedly, OSHA is imposing limitations on the testing permitted under certain test standards.

OSHA published the required notice in the Federal Register (63 FR 63085, 11/10/98) to announce the application. The notice included a preliminary finding that MET could meet the requirements in 29 CFR 1910.7 for expansion of its recognition, and invited public comment on the applications by January 11, 1999. OSHA received no comments concerning this application. MET's previous application as an NRTL covered the renewal and an expansion of its recognition (61 FR 41661, 8/6/96), which OSHA granted on November 20, 1996 (61 FR 225).

You may obtain or review copies of all public documents pertaining to the application by contacting the Docket Office, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Room N2625, Washington, DC 20210. You should refer to Docket No. NRTL-1-88, the permanent record of public information on the MET recognition.

The current address of the testing facility (site) that OSHA recognizes for MET is: MET Laboratories, Inc., 914 West Patapsco Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21230.

Final Decision and Order

The NRTL Program staff has examined the application, additional information submitted, other pertinent information, and the recommendation by the audit staff, in a memo dated September 9, 1998 (see Exhibit 21), to expand MET's recognition to include the additional test standards. Based upon this examination, OSHA finds that MET has met the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.7 for expansion of its recognition to use an additional 17 test standards, subject to the limitations and conditions listed below. Pursuant to the authority in 29 CFR 1910.7, OSHA hereby expands the recognition of MET, subject to these limitations and conditions. As is the case for any NRTL, MET's recognition is further limited to equipment or materials (products) for which OSHA standards require third party testing and certification before use in the workplace.

Limitations

OSHA hereby expands the recognition of MET for testing and certification of products to demonstrate compliance to the following 17 standards. OSHA has determined that each standard meets the requirements for an appropriate test standard prescribed in 29 CFR 1910.7(c). ANSI/UL 5 Surface Metal Raceways and Fittings ANSI/UL 50 Enclosures for Electrical Equipment ANSI/UL 65 Electric Wired Cabinets ANSI/UL 201 Garage Equipment ANSI/UL 482 Portable Sun/Heat Lamps ANSI/UL 514A Metallic Outlet Boxes, Electrical UL 664 Commercial Dry-Cleaning Machines (Type IV) ANSI/UL 698 Industrial Control Equipment for Use in Hazardous (Classified) Locations UL 775 Graphic Arts Equipment ANSI/UL 886 Outlet Boxes and Fittings for Use in Hazardous (Classified) Locations \1\ ANSI/UL 1017 Vacuum Cleaning Machines and Blower Cleaners ANSI/UL 1018 Electric Aquarium Equipment ANSI/UL 1054 Special-Use Switches ANSI/UL 1203 Explosion-Proof and Dust-Ignition-Proof Electrical Equipment for Use in Hazardous (Classified) Locations \1\

\1\ Testing and certification of products under this test standard is limited to Class I locations. Explosion testing is also limited to current test chamber capabilities.

ANSI/UL 1310 Direct Plug-In Transformer Units ANSI/UL 1573 Stage and Studio Lighting Units UL 6500 Audio/Visual and Musical Instrument Apparatus for Household, Commercial, and Similar General Use

Conditions

MET must also abide by the following conditions of the recognition, in addition to those already required by 29 CFR 1910.7:

OSHA must be allowed access to MET's facility and records for purposes of ascertaining continuing compliance with the terms of its recognition and to investigate as OSHA deems necessary;

If MET has reason to doubt the efficacy of any test standard it is using under this program, it must promptly inform the test standard developing organization of this fact and provide that organization with appropriate relevant information upon which its concerns are based;

MET must not engage in or permit others to engage in any misrepresentation of the scope or conditions of its recognition. As part of this condition, MET agrees that it will allow no representation that it is either a recognized or an accredited Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) without clearly indicating the specific equipment or material to which this recognition is tied, or that its recognition is limited to certain products;

MET must inform OSHA as soon as possible, in writing, of any change of ownership or key personnel, and of any major changes in its operations as an NRTL, including details;

MET will meet all the terms of its recognition and will always comply with all OSHA policies pertaining to this recognition;

MET will continue to meet the requirements for recognition in all areas where it has been recognized; and

MET will always cooperate with OSHA to assure compliance with the spirit as well as the letter of its recognition and 29 CFR 1910.7.

Signed at Washington, DC, this 24th day of February, 1999. Charles N. Jeffress, Assistant Secretary.

[FR Doc. 99-5791Filed3-8-99; 8:45 am]

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