Procedures for Obtaining NIST Recognition as an Accreditor of Quality System211 Registrars under the Fastener Quality Act. Program Handbook

摘要

On November 16, 1990, the United States Congress enacted the Fastener Quality Act211u001e(FQA). P.L. 101-592 (the Act). The Act was amended in 1996 by Section 11 of P.L. 211u001e104-113. The Act protects the public safety by: (1) requiring that certain 211u001efasteners which are sold in commerce conform to the specifications to which they 211u001eare represented to be manufactured; (2) providing for accreditation of 211u001elaboratories engaged in fastener testing and registration of manufacturing 211u001efacilities; and (3) requiring inspection, testing, and certification of fasteners 211u001ecovered by the Act. This handbook describes the NIST requirements that an 211u001eAccreditor of Quality System Registrars seeking NIST recognition must satisfy to 211u001eregister fastener manufacturers, employing a fastener quality assurance system 211u001e(QAS). It provides specific guidance on the implementing regulations (the 211u001eRegulations) published at 15 CFR Part 280 'Procedures for Implementation of the 211u001eFastener Quality Act' subparts I through L. NIST recognition under this program 211u001eis limited to Accreditation Bodies that accredit quality system Registrars. This 211u001ehandbook amplifies subpart K of the Regulations, which is based on ISO/IEC Guide 211u001e61, and complements other handbooks in the QAS series. NISTIR 6262 which is based 211u001eon ISO/IEC Guide 62, provides guidance to Registrars desiring accreditation for 211u001emeeting the requirements of subpart L of the regulation. NISTIR 6263 provides 211u001eguidance to Facilities to satisfy the elements of a fastener QAS and contains the 211u001eaudit requirements for Registrars to register facilities.