The U.S. Coast Guard recently published CG-ENG Policy Letter 03-25 regarding the period of validity for Certificates of Approval (COA) of recreational personal flotation devices (PFDs). COAs under select recreational PFDs approval series will now transition to a 10 year validity period.
While COAs are typically valid for a maximum of five years, it has been determined that increasing this limit to reduce administrative burden would not decrease the level of safety of recreational PFDs. CG-ENG Policy Letter 03-25 "Extended Validity Period of USCG Certificates of Approval for Personal Flotation Devices" delineates a policy to make newly approved recreational PFD COAs valid for ten years, and to gradually increase the validity period for renewed recreational PFD COAs through a phase-in period. This policy applies to recreational PFDs approved under approval series 160.064, 160.076, 160.077, 160.264, and 160.276.
Policy Letter 03-25 does not apply to existing approvals whose validity will end as listed on the existing COAs found on the Coast Guard Maritime Information Exchange (CGMIX). Additionally, this does not alleviate the need for a manufacturer to notify the Commandant (CG-ENG) via the recognized independent laboratory of any changes in design or construction of an approved recreational PFD.
This policy letter is available on the Coast Guard Office of Design and Engineering Standards (CG-ENG) website. Mariners, manufacturers of approved equipment, independent laboratories, and other interested parties should contact the Lifesaving and Fire Safety Standards Division at CGENG@uscg.mil with any questions or feedback.
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