46 CFR § 160.264-13 - Approval inspections and tests.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s160.264-13"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 160.264-13 - Approval inspections and tests."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "160.264-13"
section_name: "Approval inspections and tests."
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: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
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"
---


# 160.264-13 Approval inspections and tests.

(a) Each PFD must be certified by a recognized laboratory as meeting the requirements of ANSI/CAN/UL 12402-5 (incorporated by reference, see § 160.264-5) for an inherently buoyant Level 50 or Level 70 PFD. Approval tests specified in ANSI/CAN/UL 12402-5 must be conducted or supervised by a recognized laboratory using PFDs constructed in accordance with the plans and specifications submitted with the application for approval.

(b) Each PFD design must be visually examined for compliance with the construction and performance requirements of this subpart and ANSI/CAN/UL 12402-5 (incorporated by reference, see § 160.264-5).

(c) The Commandant may prescribe additional tests for approval of novel or unique designs.