46 CFR § 160.076-17 - Approval of design or material changes.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s160.076-17"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 160.076-17 - Approval of design or material changes."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "160.076-17"
section_name: "Approval of design or material changes."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "Q"
subchapter_name: "EQUIPMENT, CONSTRUCTION, AND MATERIALS: SPECIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL"
part_number: "160"
part_name: "LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306, 3703, 4302; E.O. 12234; 45 FR 58801; 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; and DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4."
cfr_part: "160"
---


# 160.076-17 Approval of design or material changes.

(a) The manufacturer must submit any proposed changes in design, material, or construction to the recognized laboratory and the Commandant for approval before changing PFD production methods.

(b) Determinations of equivalence of design, construction, and materials may be made only by the Commandant or a designated representative.