scope:

Process

The term certification, as used herein, indicates that a lifting appliance and its equipment have been designed, constructed, installed and surveyed in compliance with this Guide, existing Rules and Guides or other acceptable standards.

The continuance of certification is dependent on the fulfillment of requirements for surveys after construction.

The certification process consists of:

a) The development of Rules, Guides, standards and other criteria for the design, construction, installation and maintenance of lifting appliances and their equipment;

b) The review of the design and survey during and after construction to verify compliance with such Rules, Guides, standards or other criteria;

c) The assignment and registration of certification when such compliance has been verified, and;

d) The issuance of a renewable certificate, with annual endorsements, valid for five years.

The Rules, Guides and standards are developed by the ABS staff and passed upon by committees made up of naval architects, ocean and marine engineers, shipbuilders, engine builders, steel makers, process engineers and by other technical, operating and scientific personnel associated with the worldwide maritime industry. Theoretical research and development, established engineering disciplines, as well as satisfactory service experience are utilized in their development and promulgation. ABS and its committees can act only upon such theoretical and practical considerations in developing Rules and standards.

For Certification, the lifting appliance and its equipment are to comply with the applicable requirements of this Guide and all applicable Rules.