PUBLIC LAW 102-245—FEB. 14, 1992 106 STAT. 29 (5) Einy other information or recommendations the Council considers appropriate. SEC. 508. STUDY OF TESTING AND CERTIFICATION. 15 USC 3701 (a) CONTRACT WITH NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL.— Within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act and within available appropriations, the Secretary shall enter into a contract with the Nationed Research Council for a thorough review of international product testing and certification issues. The National Research Council will be asked to address the following issues and make recommendations as appropriate: (1) The impact on United States memufacturers, testing and certification laboratories, certification organizations, and other affected bodies of the European Commxmity's plans for testing and certification of regulated and nonregfulated products of non-European origin. (2) Ways for United States manufacturers to gain acceptemce of their products in the Eiiropean Community and in other foreign countries and regions. (3) The feasibility and consequences of having mutual recognition agreements between testing and certification organizations in the United States and those of major trading partners on the accreditation of testing and certification laboratories and on quality control requirements. (4) Information coordination regarding product acceptsince and conformity assessment mechanisms between the United States and foreign governments. (5) The appropriate Federgd, State, and private roles in coordination and oversight of testing, certification, accreditation, and quality control to support nationed and international trade. (b) MEMBERSHIP. —In selecting the members of the review panel, the National Research Council shall consult with and draw from, among others, laboratory accreditation organizations. Federal and State government agencies involved in testing and certification, professional societies, trade associations, smedl business, and labor organizations. (c) REPORT.— A report based on the findings and recommendations of the review panel shall be submitted to the Secretary, the President, and Congress within 18 months Eifter the Secretary signs the contract with the National Research Council. SEC. 509. REPORT ON A STRATEGY TO STIMULATE COMPETITIVE RESEARCH. (a) IN GENERAL.— No later than 120 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy shall submit to Congress a report presenting a proposed strategy for improving the imiversity research capabilities of those States which historically have received relatively little Federcd research and development funding. The report shall particularly— (1) analyze recent steps to use the National Science Foundation's Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research as a model for similar programs in several other FedergQ departments and agencies which fund research and development; and (2) examine the feasibility and advisability of using that Program as a model for Federal research cmd development agencies which do not currently have similar programs.
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