Procedures for Obtaining NIST Recognition as an Accrediton of Quality System Registrars Under the Fastener Quality Act

Published

December 1, 1998

Author(s)

S. W. Stiefel, R L. Gladhill

Abstract

On November 16, 1990, the United States Congress enacted the Fastener Quality Act (FQA), P.L. 101-592 (the Act). The Act was amended in 1996 by Section 11 of P.L. 104-113. The Act protects the public safety by: (1) requiring that certain fasteners which are sold in commerce conform to the specifications to which they are represented to be manufactured; (2) providing for accreditation of laboratories engaged in fastener testing and registration of manufacturing facilities; and (3) requiring inspection, testing and certification of fasteners covered by the Act.This handbook describes the NIST requirements that an Accreditor of Quality System Registrars seeking NIST recognition must satisfy to register fastener manufacturers, employing a fastener quality assurance system (QAS). It provides specific guidance on the implementing regulations published at 15 CFR Part 280 Procedures for Implementation of the Fastener Quality Act, subparts I through L. NIST recognition under this program is limited to Accreditation Bodies that accredit quality system Registrars.This handbook amplifies subpart K of the regulations, which is based on ISO/IEC Guide 61, and compliments other handbooks in the QAS series: NISTIR 6262 which is based on ISO/IEC Guide 62, provides guidance to Registrars desiring accreditation for meeting the requirements of subpart L of the regulation, and NISTIR 6263 provides guidance to Facilities to satisfy the elements of a fastener QAS and contains the audit requirements for Registrars to register Facilities.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 6261

Report Number

6261

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Keywords

fastener, Fastener Quality Act, P.L. 101-592, quality assurance system, registrar accreditation body

Citation

Stiefel, S. and Gladhill, R. (1998), Procedures for Obtaining NIST Recognition as an Accrediton of Quality System Registrars Under the Fastener Quality Act, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (Accessed April 19, 2024)