The US Coast Guard announced it is finalizing the policy harmonizing personal flotation device (PFD) standards between the United States and Canada by accepting a new standard for approval of PFDs.
This is expected to enable PFD manufacturers to meet a single North American standard instead of separate standards for the United States and Canada.
The move comes after the USCG publication of a Notice of Availability and Request for Comments in August 2018, announcing that it was harmonizing PFD standards between the United States and Canada by accepting a new standard for approval of PFDs.
USCG outlined the new standard in a draft policy letter with a supporting deregulatory savings analysis and made those documents available for public comment.
This policy letter is intended to promote the Coast Guard’s maritime safety and stewardship missions,
…USCG explained.
This policy does not affect existing PFD approvals and does not require any action on the part of boaters or mariners who have approved PFDs onboard.
See also:
- USCG awards 24th BWMS Type Approval
- USCG: Guide to marine equipment approvals by a mutual recognition agreement
