Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories-Fees; Public Comment Period on Recognition Notices

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is amending the requirements for nationally recognized testing laboratories (NRTLs) by adding provisions for the establishment of fees for services provided by the government. On August 18, 1999, OSHA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register requesting comments on a proposed fee schedule. The NPRM also proposed a reduction of the public comment period on the "preliminary" Federal Register notices that OSHA publishes for its NRTL recognition activities. The four comments received have been reviewed, and this final rule is based on OSHA's consideration of the public record. OSHA is amending its requirements to establish fees and to reduce the comment periods on Federal Register notices related to recognition.