Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Labor.
Notice.
In this notice, OSHA announces the applications of QPS Evaluation Services, Inc., for expansion of its scope of recognition as a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) and presents the agency's preliminary finding to grant the applications.
Submit comments, information, and documents in response to this notice, or requests for an extension of time to make a submission, on or before February 27, 2019.
Submit comments by any of the following methods:
Information regarding this notice is available from the following sources:
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is providing notice that QPS Evaluation Services, Inc., (QPS) is applying for expansion of its current recognition as a NRTL. QPS requests the addition of two test standards to its NRTL scope of recognition.
OSHA recognition of a NRTL signifies that the organization meets the requirements specified in 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. Each NRTL's scope of recognition includes (1) the type of products the NRTL may test, with each type specified by its applicable test standard; and (2) the recognized site(s) that has/have the technical capability to perform the product-testing and product-certification activities for test standards within the NRTL's scope. Recognition is not a delegation or grant of government authority; however, recognition enables employers to use products approved by the NRTL to meet OSHA standards that require product testing and certification.
The agency processes an application by a NRTL for initial recognition and for an 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
QPS currently has one facility (site) recognized by OSHA for product testing and certification, with its headquarters located at: QPS Evaluation Services, Inc. 81 Kelfield Street, Unit 8 Toronto, Ontario M9W 5A3 Canada. A complete list of QPS sites recognized by OSHA is available at
QPS submitted two applications, one dated January 16, 2017 (OSHA–2010–0046–0010), and another date June 23, 2017 (OSHA–2010–0046–0011), to expand its recognition to include two additional test standards. OSHA staff performed detailed analyses of the application packets and other pertinent information. OSHA did not perform any on-site reviews in relation to these applications.
Table 1, below, lists the appropriate test standards found in QPS's application for expansion for testing and certification of products under the NRTL Program.
QPS submitted acceptable applications for expansion of its scope of recognition. OSHA's review of the application files and related material indicate that QPS can meet the requirements prescribed by 29 CFR 1910.7 for expanding its recognition to include the addition of these two test standards for NRTL testing and certification listed above. This preliminary finding does not constitute an interim or temporary approval of QPS's applications.
OSHA welcomes public comment as to whether QPS meets the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.7 for expansion of its recognition as a NRTL. Comments should consist of pertinent written documents and exhibits. Commenters needing more time to comment must submit a request in writing, stating the reasons for the request by the due date for comments. OSHA will limit any extension to 10 days unless the requester justifies a longer time period. OSHA may deny a request for an extension if it is not adequately justified. To obtain or review copies of the exhibits identified in this notice, as well as comments submitted to the docket, contact the Docket Office, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, listed in “ADDRESSES.” These materials also are available online at
OSHA staff will review all comments to the docket submitted in a timely manner and, after addressing the issues raised by these comments, make a recommendation to the Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health on whether to grant QPS's applications for expansion of its scope of recognition. The Assistant Secretary will make the final decision on granting the applications. In making this decision, the Assistant Secretary may undertake other proceedings prescribed in Appendix A to 29 CFR 1910.7.
OSHA will publish a public notice of this final decision in the
Loren Sweatt, 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.