§ 280.802 - Review and decision process.

(a) Applications submitted by Accreditors will be accepted by NIST and their receipt acknowledged in writing. The applications will be reviewed by NIST against the criteria specified in this subpart and in subpart K of this part. NIST may request additional information as needed from the applicant.

(b) NIST shall conduct on-site assessments of the facilities of the applicant including all of the applicant's organizational units and locations covered by the application.

(c) If the applicant's program is deemed by NIST to have met the requirements for recognition, the applicant shall be notified by NIST in writing. The recognition notice shall include the date when the recognition begins and the scope of the recognition. The recognition period shall be for as long as the Accreditor continues to satisfy the requirements of § 280.803. As part of maintaining its approved status, each Accreditor shall agree to be reassessed by NIST every two years following its initial notice of recognition. NIST will maintain and make available to the public a list of recognized Accreditors.

(d) If the applicant does not meet the requirements for recognition, the applicant shall be notified in writing, listing the specific requirements from this subpart and subpart K of this part which the applicant's program has not met. After receipt of such a notification, and within the response period provided by NIST, the applicant may:

(1) Submit additional information for further review. Reviewing the new submission may involve additional on-site visits by NIST personnel. Additional fees may be required. Or,

(2) Submit a request that the original application be reconsidered, including a statement of reasons why the applicant should have been recognized.