NACLA – NAVY PARTNERSHIP NAVAL SURFACE WARFARE CENTER, CORONA DIVISION MEASUREMENT SCIENCE DEPARTMENT Bob Fritzsche (MS 20) 951.273.5244 Robert.Fritzsche@Navy.Mil

Navy METCAL Policy Laboratory Audit/Certification Implement a common Navy laboratory certification process to ensure compliance with METCAL policies. All Navy calibration laboratories shall be reviewed at least once every three years. Only use laboratories approved by Systems Commands (SYSCOMs) or Strategic Systems Programs (SSP). Require suppliers to establish and maintain calibration systems acceptable to the Navy METCAL EA as part of their quality program or inspection system.

METCAL Policy Calibration Requirements Determination Invoke [MILSTD 1839C] in all applicable Prime System and Equipment (PS/E) development and procurement contracts to ensure measurement and calibration requirements are identified as part of the Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) process. These requirements shall be identified early in the design and acquisition of Navy weapon systems and provided to the appropriate SYSCOM to facilitate application engineering of TMDE and METCAL support.

ANSI/NCSL Z540.3 – 2006 Recognition Program The Request: As a stakeholder member of the National Cooperation for Laboratory Accreditation (NACLA), the Measurement Science Department of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Division, is requesting that NACLA investigate the establishment of a NACLA Recognition Program that would provide a conformity assessment process for assessment bodies (including but not limited to Accreditation Bodies) that wish to assess organizations to the requirements of ANSI/NCSL Z540.3 – 2006, Requirements for the Calibration of Measuring and Test Equipment. (Referred herein as the National Standard) 4 4

ANSI/NCSL Z540.3 – 2006 Recognition Program Our Thinking: We see two conformity assessment processes for two distinct audiences: 1. Organizations (registrars) seeking recognition to assess organizations to the requirements of the National Standard in its entirety. 2. Accreditation Bodies seeking recognition in their assessment of calibration laboratories to meet the (supplemental) requirements of Sub-clause 5.3 of the National Standard. 5 5

ANSI/NCSL Z540.3 – 2006 Recognition Program Conformity Assessment Process #1 This National Standard is written for both the Supplier and Customer, each term being interpreted in the broadest sense. The “Supplier” may be a producer, distributor, vendor, or a provider of a product, service, or information. The “Customer” may be a consumer, client, end-user, retailer or purchaser that receives a product or service. This National Standard has great potential in reducing “risk” associated with calibration measurement values in the many calibration systems Suppliers employ in producing their end product. The benefits associated with reducing risk are many and varied, depending on the industry. 6 6

ANSI/NCSL Z540.3 – 2006 Recognition Program Conformity Assessment Process #1 Examples of Industries that will benefit from implementing Z540.3 include, but are not limited to: Packaging Machining Transportation Healthcare Energy Manufacturing Chemistry 7 7

ANSI/NCSL Z540.3 – 2006 Recognition Program Conformity Assessment Process #2 Accreditation bodies seeking recognition in their assessment of calibration laboratories to meet the requirements of Sub-clause 5.3 Calibration of measuring and test equipment, of the National Standard. Sub-clause 5.3 of the National Standard states: Calibration – servicing components may be considered competent to provide calibration services when they have been accredited to meet ANSI/ISO/IEC 17025, including the requirements of this sub-clause, or otherwise found to be in conformance by an authority acceptable to the customer. 8 8

ANSI/NCSL Z540.3 – 2006 Recognition Program Conformity Assessment Process #2 It is recommended that consideration be given to ILAC/NACLA recognized ABs. ILAC/NACLA recognized ABs are qualified to determine laboratory competence. As such, these ABs should not be required to undergo duplicative recognition. Instead, it is recommended that a supplemental process be developed solely to assess the ability of the AB to certify the laboratory’s compliance with the requirements of sub-clause 5.3. The goal is to establish a process that will promote uniformity in assessment to the supplemental requirements of sub-clause 5.3. 9 9

ANSI/NCSL Z540.3 – 2006 Recognition Program In Closing: Our expected outcomes include, but are not limited to: Assessment criteria development for Registrars/ABs Assessment process development Assessor training development 10 10