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ABS has been accepted by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) as an independent laboratory to witness production tests and inspections, and supervise prototype construction, where appropriate based on equipment type.
For an ABS surveyor to witness a prototype test or production test, please submit a request via the form link.
ABS Houston is authorized to perform pre-approval plan review for various types of equipment.
For approval of novel lifesaving launching appliances, under approval series 160.115, 160.132, 160.133, 160.135, 160.156 can assist in starting the application process with the CG-USCG-4 office.
A laboratory does not issue the certificate of approval (COA) of any equipment; this is completed by the CG-ENG-4 office.
For an ABS engineering evaluation, please submit a request via the form link.
Online Form: Type Approval (PDA)
Online Form: Independent Laboratory for U.S. Coast Guard (Survey)
Type Approval at ABS
Type Approval Webinar
Cutsheet: Type Approval
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations e(CFR)
Cutsheet: USCG Independent Lab
Our status as an accepted independent laboratory is publicly available at http://cgmix.uscg.mil.