2021-06038. TUV SUD America, Inc.: Grant of Expansion of Recognition

AGENCY:

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

In this notice, OSHA announces the final decision to expand the scope of recognition for TUV SUD America, Inc. (TUVAM) as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).

DATES:

The expansion of the scope of recognition becomes effective on March 24, 2021.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Information regarding this notice is available from the following sources:

Press inquiries: Contact Mr. Frank Meilinger, Director, OSHA Office of Communications, U.S. Department of Labor by phone [phone] or email [e-mail].

General and technical information: Contact Mr. Kevin Robinson, Director, Office of Technical Programs and Coordination Activities, Directorate of Technical Support and Emergency Management, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor by phone [phone] or email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Notice of Final Decision

OSHA hereby gives notice of the expansion of the scope of recognition of TUV SUD America, Inc. (TUVAM), as a NRTL. TUVAM's expansion covers the addition of eight recognized test standards to the NRTL scope of recognition.

OSHA recognition of a NRTL signifies that the organization meets the requirements in Section 1910.7 of Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (29 CFR 1910.7). Recognition is an acknowledgment that the organization can perform independent safety testing and certification of the specific products covered within its scope of recognition and is not a delegation or grant of government authority. As a result of recognition, employers may use products properly approved by the NRTL to meet OSHA standards that require testing and certification.

The agency processes applications by a NRTL for initial recognition, or for expansion or renewal of this recognition, following requirements in Appendix A to 29 CFR 1910.7. This appendix requires that the agency publish two notices in the Federal Register in processing an application. In the first notice, OSHA announces the application and provides its preliminary finding and, in the second notice, the agency provides the final decision on the application. These notices set forth the NRTL's scope of recognition or modifications of that scope. OSHA maintains an informational web page for each NRTL that details its scope of recognition. These pages are available from the agency's website at http://www.osha.gov/​dts/​otpca/​nrtl/​index.html.

TUVAM submitted an application, dated August 29, 2019 (OSHA-2007-0043-0032), to expand their recognition to include eight additional test standards. OSHA staff performed detailed analysis of the application packet and reviewed other pertinent information. OSHA did not perform an on-site review related to this application.

OSHA published the preliminary notice announcing TUVAM's expansion application in the Federal Register on February 3, 2021 (86 FR 8039). The agency requested comments by February 18, 2021, but it received no comments in response to this notice. OSHA now is proceeding with this final notice to grant expansion of TUVAM's scope of recognition.

To obtain or review copies of all public documents pertaining to the TUVAM expansion application, go to www.regulations.gov or contact the Docket Office, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210. Docket No. OSHA-2007-0043 contains all materials in the record concerning TUVAM's recognition. Please note: While OSHA's Docket Office is continuing to accept and process submissions by regular mail, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Docket Office is closed to the public and not able to receive submissions to the docket by hand, express mail, messenger, and courier service.

II. Final Decision and Order

OSHA staff examined TUVAM's expansion application, and examined other pertinent information. Based on review of this evidence, OSHA finds that TUVAM meets the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.7 for expansion of recognition, subject to the specified limitation and conditions. OSHA, therefore, is proceeding with this final notice to grant TUVAM's scope of recognition. OSHA limits the expansion of TUVAM's recognition to testing and certification of products for demonstration of conformance to the test standards listed in Table 1.

Table 1—List of Appropriate Test Standards for Inclusion in TUVAM's NRTL Scope of Recognition

Test standard	Test standard title
ASME A17.5	Elevators and Escalator Electrical Equipment.
UL 2738	Standard for Induction Power Transmitters and Receivers for Use With Low Energy Products.
UL 60745-2-1	Particular Requirements for Drills and Impact Drills.
UL 60745-2-3	Particular Requirements for Grinders, Polishers and Disk-Type Sanders.
UL 60745-2-5	Particular Requirements for Circular Saws.
UL 60745-2-14	Particular Requirements for Planers.
UL 60745-2-17	Particular Requirements for Routers and Trimmers.
UL 61800-5-1	Adjustable Speed Electrical Power Drive Systems—Part 5-1: Safety Requirements—Electrical, Thermal and Energy.

OSHA's recognition of any NRTL for a particular test standard is limited to equipment or materials for which OSHA standards require third-party testing and certification before using them in the workplace. Consequently, if a test standard also covers any products for which OSHA does not require such testing and certification, a NRTL's scope of recognition does not include these products.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) may approve the test standards listed above as American National Standards. However, for convenience, we may use the designation of the standards-developing organization for the standard as opposed to the ANSI designation. Under the NRTL Program's policy (see OSHA Instruction CPL 1-0.3, Appendix C, paragraph XIV), any NRTL recognized for a particular test standard may use either the proprietary version of the test standard or the ANSI version of that standard. Contact ANSI to determine whether a test standard is currently ANSI-approved.

A. Conditions

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

1. TUVAM must inform OSHA as soon as possible, in writing, of any change of ownership, facilities, or key personnel, and of any major change in its operations as a NRTL, and provide details of the change(s);

2. TUVAM must meet all the terms of its recognition and comply with all OSHA policies pertaining to this recognition; and

3. TUVAM must continue to meet the requirements for recognition, including all previously published conditions on TUVAM's scope of recognition, in all areas for which it has recognition.

Pursuant to the authority in 29 CFR 1910.7, OSHA hereby expands the recognition of TUVAM, subject to the limitations and conditions specified above.

IV. Authority and Signature

James S. Frederick, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210, authorized the preparation of this notice. Accordingly, the agency is issuing this notice pursuant to Section 29 U.S.C. 655(6)(d), Secretary of Labor's Order No. 8-2020 (85 FR 58393; Sept. 18, 2020), and 29 CFR 1905.11.

Signed at Washington, DC, on March 18, 2021.

James S. Frederick,

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.