FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:             NIST 94-18
April 25, 1994

Contact:  Roger Rensberger         NATIONAL CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT
          (301) 975-2762           PROGRAM ESTABLISHED TO PROMOTE
                                   INTERNATIONAL TRADE

     The U.S. Commerce Department's National Institute of
Standards and Technology has established the National Voluntary
Conformity Assessment System Evaluation Program to improve the
acceptance of U.S. products in international markets such as the
European Union, based on U.S. approvals.

     Under the NVCASE program, the Commerce Department, acting
through NIST, will accept requests to evaluate and recognize
competently conducted conformity assessment (product acceptance)
activities.  The NIST evaluations will supplement those of other
federal agencies to provide a basis for the federal government to
assure foreign entities that qualified U.S. conformity assessment
bodies are competent to satisfy foreign regulatory requirements.

     NVCASE covers organizations engaged in product sample
testing, product certification and quality system registration
and will emphasize reliance on their accreditors where
applicable.  NIST evaluations, based on publicly developed
requirements, will be conducted on a fee-for-service basis,
resulting in a certificate of recognition to organizations that
meet the requirements.

     NIST will maintain lists of all recognized organizations
and, in the case of recognized accredited bodies, lists of
conformity assessment entities that the accreditation bodies have
recognized within the scope of the program.

     NIST will respond to requirements by U.S. trading partners
for governmental assurances that U.S.-based conformity assessment
activities are competently performed for satisfying the
regulatory requirements of their governments.  This can be
accomplished effectively by NIST evaluation of conformity
assessment activities carried out in the United States and NIST
attestation to the competency of their conduct.

     The establishment of this program reflects the importance of
conformity assessment activities to international trade.  It is
intended to assist U.S. manufacturers in meeting foreign
technical regulatory requirements on a cost-effective basis.  The
program is expected to enhance U.S. trade with other nations.

     The NVCASE program stems from previously expressed needs
from the private sector related to international trade.  The
program also will meet one of the objectives outlined in the 
June 21, 1991, joint communiqu‚ between the U.S. secretary of
commerce and the vice president of the European Commission.

     The 1991 agreement was reached to ensure that the European
system of testing and certification would not disadvantage U.S.
exporters.  The secretary instructed NIST to establish a system
whereby he could assure other governments that designated U.S.
manufacturers, testing laboratories, standards groups, trade
associations or other organizations are qualified to test and
certify that U.S. products or firms meet the requirements of EC
law.

     For information on NVCASE, contact John L. Donaldson, chief
of the Standards Code and Information Program, or Robert L.
Gladhill, program manager, A629 Administration Building, 
NIST, Gaithersburg, Md. 20899-0001, (301) 975-4029, fax:  
(301) 963-2871.

     As a non-regulatory agency of the Commerce Department's
Technology Administration, NIST promotes U.S. economic growth by
working with industry to develop and apply technology,
measurements and standards.

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