FCC Examining International Accreditation of A2LA, NVLAP

The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology sought comment on whether the FCC should recognize the American Association for Laboratory Accreditation (A2LA) and National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) as accreditation bodies that do accreditation of test labs under agency rules outside the U.S. A2LA is recognized domestically, OET said, and now seeks to be an accreditation body for labs in China, India, Philippines and Thailand for testing equipment for authorization under the commission’s Declaration of Conformity and certification programs of commission rules. OET sought comment on A2LA’s “qualifications and capabilities.” Comments are due Oct. 26, replies Nov. 2, said a public notice in docket 16-313. OET also sought comment on NVLAP's request to expand its accreditation to accredit labs in China, Indonesia, India, Philippines, Russia, Switzerland, Thailand and Ukraine. The comments dates are the same, said a PN.