Quality Assurance System Registration Requirements for Facilities Under Provisions of 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, in accordance with standardized methods, of fasteners covered by the Act.This handbook describes the NIST requirements for registration of a fastener manufacturing facility employing a fastener quality assurance system, as defined in the regulations, by a Quality System Registrar (See NISTIR 6263) that in turn has been accredited by a NIST-recognized Accreditor (See NISTIR 6261). It provides specific guidance on the implementing regulations published at 15 CFR Part 280 Procedures for Implementation of the Fastener Quality Act, Sec. 280.104 and subparts I through L. Manufacturers are required by the regulation to comply with the requirements in the fastener specification and standards including sampling plans for final inspection and testing. However, the regulations also provide in Sec. 280.104 for an alternative to lot-by-lot final inspection and testing recognizing current industry practices which rely on defect prevention employing quality assurance systems. Fastener Facilities which have registered quality systems may reduce the number of tests performed in an accredited laboratory, provided the fastener specification or standard recognizes the use of quality assurance systems.

Citation

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR) - 6263

Report Number

6263

NIST Pub Series

NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

Keywords

fastener, Fastener Quality Act, manufacturer, P.L. 101-592, quality assurance system, quality system registration, registration requirements

Citation

Stiefel, S. and Gladhill, R. (1998), Quality Assurance System Registration Requirements for Facilities Under Provisions of the Fastener Quality Act, NIST Interagency/Internal Report (NISTIR), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD (Accessed July 27, 2024)