4.1 The following process, illustrated in figure
2, is intended to describe the procedure for obtaining and maintaining
approval of an alternative and/or equivalency taking into account
the Submitter and the Administration. Even though the diagram in figure
2 may suggest a strictly linear or sequential process, this is not
the intention, and it is important to note that each phase may be
a series of iterations in a loop. As seen from figure 2, the process,
which covers concept development through operation, includes the following
milestones:
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.1 development of a preliminary design;
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.2 approval of preliminary design;
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.3 development of final design;
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.4 final design testing and analyses; and
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.5 approval.
4.2 The Submitter should approach the Administration
early in the process in order to seek input from experts and specialist
opinions on the use of an alternative and/or equivalency design –
with the motivation of obtaining approval by the Administration. The
details performed in each phase of the process shown in figure 2 may
vary on a case by case basis depending on the design being considered
or whether the Submitter is applying for preliminary or final approval.
However, the basic process outlined in this document should be generally
applicable to the approval of most alternatives and/or equivalencies.
4.3 When a recognized organization acts on behalf
of the Administration:
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.1 Administration's authorization requested by
SOLAS regulation XI-1/1 should
include the list of activities reserved to the Administration, such
as:
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.1 acceptance of, or exemption from, risk analysis
(see paragraph 4.6.3);
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.2 agreement on evaluation criteria (see paragraph
4.7.1);
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.3 termination of the process because the evaluation
criteria were not met (see paragraph 4.9.3); and
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.4 final approval (see paragraph 4.19.1); and
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.2 approvals should only be valid for the ships
that were flagged by the Administration at the time the approval was
issued.