2020-20953. QAI Laboratories, Ltd.: Grant of Expansion of Recognition  

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    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 QAI Laboratories, Ltd., as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL).

    DATES:

    The expansion of the scope of recognition becomes effective on September 23, 2020.

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    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, phone: (202) 693-1999; email: meilinger.francis2@dol.gov.

    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, phone: (202) 693-2110; email: robinson.kevin@dol.gov. OSHA's web page includes information about the NRTL Program (see http://www.osha.gov/​dts/​otpca/​nrtl/​index.html).

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    I. Notice of Final Decision

    OSHA hereby gives notice of the expansion of the scope of recognition of QAI Laboratories, Ltd. (QAI), as a NRTL. QAI's expansion covers the addition of one test standard to the scope of recognition.

    OSHA recognition of a NRTL signifies that the organization meets the requirements specified by 29 CFR 1910.7. Recognition is an acknowledgment that the organization can perform independent safety testing and certification of the specific products covered within the 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 of the products.

    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 a 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 the scope of recognition. These pages are available from the agency's website at http://www.osha.gov/​dts/​otpca/​nrtl/​index.html.

    QAI submitted an application, dated November 8, 2017 (OSHA-2013-0017-0015), to expand their scope of recognition to include one additional test standard. OSHA staff performed a detailed analysis of the application packet and reviewed other pertinent information. OSHA did not perform any on-site reviews in relation to this application. OSHA published the preliminary notice announcing QAI's expansion application in the Federal Register on February 26, 2020 (85 FR 11108). The agency requested comments by March 12, 2020, but it received no comments in response to this notice. OSHA now is proceeding with this final notice to grant expansion of QAI's scope of recognition.

    To obtain or review copies of all public documents pertaining to QAI's application, go to www.regulations.gov or contact the Docket Office, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Docket No. OSHA-2013-0017 contains all materials in the record concerning QAI's recognition.

    II. Final Decision and Order

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

    Table 1—Appropriate Test Standard for Inclusion in QAI's NRTL Scope of Recognition

    Test standardTest standard title
    AAMI ES60601-1Medical Electrical Equipment—Part 1: General Requirements for Basic Safety and Essential Performance (with amendments).

    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 Start Printed Page 59829standard 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, the designation of the standards-developing organization for the standard as opposed to the ANSI designation may be used. 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, QAI must abide by the following conditions of the recognition:

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

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

    3. QAI must continue to meet the requirements for recognition, including all previously published conditions on QAI'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 scope of recognition of QAI, subject to the conditions specified above.

    III. Authority and Signature

    Loren Sweatt, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, authorized the preparation of this notice. Accordingly, the agency is issuing this notice pursuant to 29 U.S.C. 657(g)(2), Secretary of Labor's Order No. 1-2012 (77 FR 3912, Jan. 25, 2012), and 29 CFR 1910.7.

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    Signed at Washington, DC, on September 17, 2020.

    Loren Sweatt,

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

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    [FR Doc. 2020-20953 Filed 9-22-20; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4510-26-P

Document Information

Effective Date:
9/23/2020
Published:
09/23/2020
Department:
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Entry Type:
Notice
Action:
Notice.
Document Number:
2020-20953
Dates:
The expansion of the scope of recognition becomes effective on September 23, 2020.
Pages:
59828-59829 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. OSHA-2013-0017
PDF File:
2020-20953.Pdf
Supporting Documents:
» QAI Laboratories Ltd.: Grant of Renewal of Recognition
» QAI Laboratories, Ltd. Applications for Expansion of Recognition
» QAI Laboratories, Ltd.: Grant of Expansion of Recognition
» QAI Laboratories, Ltd. Applications for Expansion of Recognition
» QAI Expansion Application - Nov 2017
» QAI Laboratories Ltd.: Request for Renewal of Recognition
» QAI Laboratories, Ltd. Application for Expansion of Recognition
» QAI Laboratories, Ltd Renewal Application
» QAI Laboratories, Ltd.: Grant of Expansion of Recognition
» QAI Laboratories, Ltd. Application for Expansion of Recognition