46 USC § 2118 - Establishment of equipment standards

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t46/s2118"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "46 USC § 2118 - Establishment of equipment standards"
title_number: 46
title_name: "SHIPPING"
section_number: "2118"
section_name: "Establishment of equipment standards"
chapter_number: 21
chapter_name: "GENERAL"
part_number: "A"
part_name: "General Provisions"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-03-26"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Added Pub. L. 111–281, title VI, § 608(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2968; amended Pub. L. 114–120, title III, § 306(a)(2), Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 54.)"
---


# § 2118. Establishment of equipment standards

**(a)** In establishing standards for approved equipment required on vessels subject to part B of this subtitle, the Secretary shall establish standards that are—

**(1)** based on performance using the best available technology that is economically achievable; and

**(2)** operationally practical.

**(b)** Using the standards established under subsection (a), the Secretary may also certify lifesaving equipment that is not required to be carried on vessels subject to part B of this subtitle to ensure that such equipment is suitable for its intended purpose.

**(c)** At least once every 10 years the Secretary shall review and revise the standards established under subsection (a) to ensure that the standards meet the requirements of this section.

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**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 111–281, title VI, § 608(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2968; amended Pub. L. 114–120, title III, § 306(a)(2), Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 54.)

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2016—Subsec. (a). , substituted “subtitle,” for “title,”.

Subsec. (b). , substituted “subtitle” for “title”.