SD-6 Provisions Governing QualificationThese provisions are issued as guidance for manufacturers and their authorized distributors who wish to submit products for qualification by the Department of Defense. A product may be qualified only when a governing federal or defense specification or non-government standard contains a requirement for qualification. Lists are not otherwise established for qualification.

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Provisions Governing Qua/ification SD-6

Action on Test Results

The Qualifying Activity will analyze the results of laboratory tests to determine if the product is qualified. The manufacturer will be notified of the results of the tests and will be informed whether or not his product or process qualifies under the requirements of the applicable specification. A copy of the letter will be furnished to the distributor, if the authorized distributor is the applicant. DoD policy is to have the manufacturer notify the responsible activity of any change in design, material, manufacturing processes (including quality control), or plant

location. Thus, the notification letter will specify the changes that must be brought to the attention of the Qualifying Activity by the manufacturer.

Authorization for Retest

If qualification is disapproved or testing is discontinued, retesting of the product or process will not be authorized until satisfactory evidence is furnished to the activity responsible for qualification, or its authorized agent, that all of the defects which were disclosed by previous tests have been corrected. The Qualifying Activity is solely responsible for determining whether the evidence is satisfactory.

TEST LABORATORIES

Laboratories Owned by or Contracted to the Government

Samples for testing will be supplied by the applicant at no expense to the Government. The cost to be borne by the applicant, if any, will be stated in the letter authorizing the tests. The Government will not be responsible for any expense resulting from:

1.   Shipment of the samples to or from the laboratory.

2.   Damage during test.

3.   Damage or loss of sample while at the laboratory.

The applicant will forward the product for test in accordance with the shipping instructions furnished in the letter authorizing the tests. Adequate operating instructions must be included. Testing will be undertaken as promptly as practicable after authorization. The following rules will apply:

1.   The time of test will be set at the convenience of the Government. The applicant may observe, but not take an active part in, the test if he obtains permission from the laboratory in advance.

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