OSHA to Improve Nationally Recognized Testing Lab Program
The agency has scheduled an informal meeting to discuss efforts to improve the Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory Program
OSHA has scheduled an informal stakeholder meeting to gather information on how it can improve and increase the effectiveness of its Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory Program, according to a report from the agency. The meeting will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on October 22, 2014 at the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington DC.
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) conducted a study of the program in 2012 to examine its recognition process and recommended that OSHA consider various approaches for recognizing NRTLs to include using private accreditation bodies and contractors. The GAO also recommended OSHA review current regulations to identity changes to existing procedures and align better with international accreditation standards.
According to OSHA, the meeting “will focus on the use of the private sector to improve timeliness and efficiency of the NRTL recognition process, certification marks, factory and field inspections, and other topics if time permits.” People can attend the meeting as presenters, participants or observers.