Biometrics Testing LAP

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has requested establishment of the Biometrics Laboratory Accreditation Program (Biometrics LAP) by the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) to accredit laboratories that perform conformance testing, interoperability testing, technology testing, scenario testing, and operational and usability testing for biometrics products (systems and subsystems) as defined in nationally and internationally recognized biometrics products testing standards of biometric systems and subsystems. The program will offer accreditation only in the areas where a need was expressed and the requirements have been provided, but it is designed to easily expand and accommodate requirements from any interested governmental agency or the private sector.

Laboratory accreditation requirements are derived from the elected scope(s) of accreditation. NIST Handbook 150 and NIST Handbook 150-25 govern the general and specific technical requirements for accreditation under the Biometrics LAP. Each scope of accreditation has at least one test method associated with it. NVLAP reserves the right to update, modify or rename the set of test methods associated with any scope of accreditation.

Proficiency Testing Requirements

Section 7.7.2 of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 requires a laboratory “monitor its performance by comparison with results of other laboratories, where available and appropriate”. NVLAP is not aware of any widely available interlaboratory comparison for biometrics system testing. Laboratories may choose to organize interlaboratory comparisons among themselves, however NVLAP does not require participation in interlaboratory comparison in the biometrics program. If an appropriate interlaboratory comparison becomes available, NVLAP may require participation and will notify the biometrics laboratories of requirements.

Requirements Documents

• NIST Handbook 150:2020, NVLAP Procedures and General Requirements
• NIST Handbook 150-25:2009, NVLAP Biometrics Testing
• Lab Bulletin LB-116-2020: Update to NVLAP accreditation documents for laboratories accredited to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 under the ILAC MRA
• Lab Bulletin LB-43-2009: Release of NIST Handbook 150-25, 2009 Edition

References and Information

• FR Doc. No.: E8–28376, Announcement of the Establishment of LAP for Laboratories Performing Biometrics Testing Under NVLAP & Technical Requirements for Such a LAP
• NIST/ITL CSD Biometric Conformance Test Software (BioCTS)
• INCITS M1
• Biometrics.gov
• FIDO Alliance