We all in the metrology community know that NIST traceability numbers are only NIST's equivalent of job order numbers, and can't be used as evidence of traceability, but there are a few holdouts, a few really dense people left out there who insist on beating the skeletal remains of this dead horse by asking that we provide NIST trace numbers because we claim to be "NIST traceable".
So, the problem I have is providing proof that NIST trace numbers aren't valid for the purposes of traceability. I found a good thread on NIST traceability numbers on this forum at NIST Traceability Numbers - Confused Yet?, but it's dated 1999, and besides that, I'm looking for "official" information, not people's opinions on discussion boards (it's like preaching to the choir).
I know NIST, NCSLI, etc. have all published papers on NIST trace numbers, where exactly can I find them? Searching for "NIST numbers" on the NIST website does no good, I get thousands of hits with "NIST" or "numbers", many of them dead links. I know ISO 9001 and 17025 have clauses on NIST trace numbers, does anyone know off the top of their head what they are? What about the positions that accreditation bodies like A2LA and NVLAP have on NIST numbers? It's like searching for a needle in a haystack.
So, the problem I have is providing proof that NIST trace numbers aren't valid for the purposes of traceability. I found a good thread on NIST traceability numbers on this forum at NIST Traceability Numbers - Confused Yet?, but it's dated 1999, and besides that, I'm looking for "official" information, not people's opinions on discussion boards (it's like preaching to the choir).
I know NIST, NCSLI, etc. have all published papers on NIST trace numbers, where exactly can I find them? Searching for "NIST numbers" on the NIST website does no good, I get thousands of hits with "NIST" or "numbers", many of them dead links. I know ISO 9001 and 17025 have clauses on NIST trace numbers, does anyone know off the top of their head what they are? What about the positions that accreditation bodies like A2LA and NVLAP have on NIST numbers? It's like searching for a needle in a haystack.