Services

Type Approval

Streamline the acceptance of equipment and components on ABS-classed units and other marine and offshore applications.

Type Approval

Streamline the acceptance of equipment and components on ABS-classed units and other marine and offshore applications.

 

Depending on the manufacturing process, ABS can provide:

  • individual unit certification for products manufactured in batch quantities
  • type approval to support an efficient product certification process for products produced in mass quantities.

       


            

ABS Type Approval Process

The ABS Type Approval process provides design verification and manufacturing assessment that confirms products meet applicable industry standards and class requirements.

Product Design Assessment (PDA)

ABS Engineers verify product compliance with manufacturers' specifications, applicable ABS Rules, and national or international standards.

Initial Application

Engineering Evaluation

  • ABS reviews drawing designs and technical documents.
  • Prototype testing is completed as applicable.

Issuance of a PDA Certificate

  • ABS issues a PDA Certificate valid for five years, subject to changes in applied standards or product design.
  • Product status changes to Design Assessed.

  

  

Manufacturing Assessment

ABS surveyors confirm that the fabrication facility follows a quality process capable of continuous and consistent product manufacturing in accordance with the most current PDA issued to the manufacturer.

Initial Application

  • Verification of valid PDA certificates as well as ISO 9001 quality system certification or equivalent are prerequisites.
  • ABS audits the quality control systems and the manufacturing processes.

Issuance of a Manufacturing Assessment (MA) Certificate

  • ABS issues a manufacturing assessment (MA) certificate that is valid for five years subject to changes in applied standards or product design.
  • Product status changes to Type Approved.
 

Benefits of ABS Type Approval

  • Streamlined acceptance of equipment and components on ABS-classed units and other marine and offshore applications
  • Demonstrated compliance with international/recognized standards and ABS Rules
  • Flexible certification approach to match business objectives
  • Avoid repeated evaluation of identical designs
  • Increased market visibility
  • Searchable in the ABS Type Approval Database