Rules Released On Accreditation Bodies That Certify Energy Star Labs
The EPA last week released draft “conditions and criteria” for recognition of accreditation bodies to certify labs for Energy Star testing, as the agency moved to tighten rules for qualification and verification testing for the program. The move follows a GAO investigation that found Energy Star was prone to fraud and abuse. The agency also released a timeline for putting into effect the new qualification testing rules.
Accreditation bodies seeking to be recognized for Energy Star must be signatories to the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC) Mutual Recognition Agreement, the agency said. They must meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 17011 and inform EPA within 30 days of any change in ILAC signatory status. They should also train assessors on the Energy Star accreditation requirements before conducting lab assessments and “continue to provide new and refresher courses” for the assessors, the agency said.
As part of reporting requirements, the accreditation bodies must submit to the EPA an electronic copy of the quality management systems documentation required under ISO/IEC 17011. They must participate in EPA meetings on testing programs, brief EPA staff on the status of the programs, “common deficiencies,” and other issues related to accreditation of labs, and provide access to the agency to upcoming lab assessments.
Comments on the proposed rules for recognition of accreditation bodies are due May 14. The agency said it will release for comments proposed requirements for lab accreditation for all Energy Star products on May 17 and proposed rules for qualification and verification testing on May 30. It intends to finalize qualification and verification testing requirements for consumer electronics and IT products July 19. Between July and December, the agency will recognize certification programs and accredited labs, it said. All new CE and IT products must be tested in EPA-recognized accredited labs starting Nov. 30, it said.