ANSI/NCSL Z540.3-2006

A draft handbook was made available to the committee at 2008 Measurement Science conference.

The Working Group (WG) continues to meet by web/teleconference every week. The WG is progressing methodically through all requirements of the Standard. Currently the WG is finishing Section 5.5 and will be moving into Section 6 the first of the year. An Ad-Hoc Committee was pulled together to gain agreement on a sufficient and compatible framework (model/equations) for describing measurement error & uncertainty for use in Z540.3 handbook sub-clauses 5.3 a) and b). The Ad-Hoc committee assigned action items and has a target date of 14 January for completion of those items. The Ad-Hoc committee will then present their work to the whole group for discussion and a way forward to complete section 5.3.

The Working group meeting convened at the NCSLI Conference, St. Paul, MN, 29 July 2007. The focus of the meeting was on the approach to describe probability of false accept and the extent to which some optional methodologies need to be described in the handbook. Currently the Handbook status and goals are as follows:
STATUS:
28 Working Draft updates used, currently at WD 3.7.
46 key topic areas included.
All topics drafted
24 ready for review
22 reviewed by 171 Working Group
138 pages, so far…
GOALS:
All topics drafted by NCSLi Conference √
Complete review by December 2007
Publish early 2008

…A discussion about the use of Z540.3 for accreditation ensued. It was stated that Z540.3 was not intended as a document for accreditation, but A2LA has been asked to accredit to the standard. Discussion centered around what the Board could or could not do in giving the 174 Committee direction. The discussion concluded by saying the Board will get an opportunity to review the 171 Handbook in due process. The 174 committee has also agreed to develop an NCSLI Position Paper on Z540.3 and accreditation and the Board should let that process go forward…

The Working Group (WG) continues to meet by web/teleconference every other week. The WG is progressing methodically through all requirements of the Standard. The WG will conduct a three day working session from June 6-8 at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Corona Division. The objective of this three day working meeting is to prepare for the upcoming NCSLI Conference in July and possibly provide a “Draft” Handbook at that time.

The December 2006 issue of Measure magazine provides an introduction to the new Z540.3 standard. The committee chair reviews the document clause by clause as well explaining the relationship of Z540.3 with ANS/ISO/IEC 17025.