Executive Summary
The ABS Type Approval program has existed in some form since 1983. Today it is formalized in the Rules. Two basic processes and certificates establish the validity of a product and all other certificates that may be issued in the program. The format imitates the format of the European Marine Equipment Directive (MED).
- Satisfactory evaluation of a product to a set of Rules or standards is recorded in the issue of a “Product Design Assessment (PDA)” certificate. The process is the same as would be followed for an ABS Design Review Letter. It imitates the Module B category of the MED.
- Satisfactory evaluation of the manufacturing (Works) facility to confirm their ability to consistently manufacture the product in accordance with the PDA is recorded in the issue of a “Manufacturing Assessment (MA)” certificate. This was previously known in ABS as the MMEC program. This imitates the modules D and E of the MED.
The IACS Ad-Hoc Committee for the Certification of Materials and Components have consensus that Type Approval requires; 1) an evaluation of the product including prototype tests (if necessary), 2) a witness of the manufacture of the product (type test), and 3) an assessment of the manufacturer’s ability to consistently manufacture the product in accordance with the approved specifications. There are a multitude of derivations of this process; following is an abbreviated outline of the basic certificates:
Certificate |
Criteria for issue |
Term of Validity |
Consequences of Non-compliance |
| Product Design Assessment (PDA) A client may qualify for one or as many of these certificates as they request. Issued by Technical Staff. |
Evaluation of the product to ABS Rules and / or acceptable National, International or customer standards | Five years subject to continued compliance with the Rules and other standards used in the evaluation. | Reverts to category of PDA Limited, is not eligible for Product Type Approval, and is removed from the web site after one year. |
| Manufacturing Assessment (MA) There is only one certificate, per manufacturer, per type of product. Issued by Field Office. |
Valid PDA and demonstrate the ability to consistently manufacture the product according to the PDA. Rule required testing must be witnessed by a Surveyor. | Five years subject to the continued validity of the PDA and passing annual audits. | The product may not be listed as Type Approved. |
| Product Type Approval (PTA) Certificate is only available from the web site. |
Product must have both a valid PDA and MA | Valid until the expiration of the PDA or MA (whichever occurs first). | The Product may not be listed as Type Approved. |
| Product Quality Assurance (PQA) A formal agreement between the Surveyor and the manufacturer authorizing the manufacturer to witness Rule required testing. May only be issued by Manager ABS Programs. |
The manufacturer must have a certified quality system and the MA must be valid and the product must require Unit Certification. | Same as the associated MA and subject to semi-annual audits. | Reverts to MA status and all Rule required testing must be witnessed by a Surveyor |
| MED Module B (May only be issued by ABS London) |
Must have valid PDA | Same as associated PDA | Same as PDA. |
| MED Module D or E (May only be issued by ABS London) |
Must have valid MA | Same as associated MA | Same as associated MA and manufacturer may not use the “Wheel mark”. |