Prototypes (Type approval certificate)

Approval for class purposes - type tests (*)

What's prototype approval according to RINA rules?
Prototype approval (type approval) is a procedure for the approval of the product design, including drawing appraisal and type test performance, for compliance with classification requirements.
Type approval basically implies that the design of the product is assessed once and the approval is made valid for all subsequent products of identical design.

What's the purpose of prototype approval?
The purpose of the prototype approval is to provide an alternative to the individual inspection scheme procedure when the execution of type test is mandatory or required by the customer: when a prototype is type approved, the acceptance of the design is granted for all products identical to the prototype for a period of time of five years (unless modification to the rules occurs in the mean time).

Which products is prototype approval applicable to?
In principle, prototype approval is applicable to all products, but it is particularly suitable for products of standard design and/or routinely manufactured such as diesel engines, reduction gears, flexible hoses, electric cables, transformers, safety valves for cargo tanks.

How to proceed?
The procedure consists of the following main steps:

• Manufacturer's application
• Examination of technical documentation
• Preliminary approval of drawings, when required by the rules
• Definition of the test program
• Identification of the testing laboratory
• Execution of type tests
• Review of the test reports
• Issuance of the RINA type approval certificate

Approval on behalf of a Flag Administration - type tests (*)

What's prototype approval on behalf of a Flag Administration?
Prototype approval (type approval) on behalf of a Flag Administration is a procedure for the approval of the product design, including drawing appraisal and type test performance, for compliance with Flag Administration requirements.
Type approval basically implies that the design of the product is assessed once and the approval is made valid for all subsequent products of identical design.

What's the purpose of prototype approval on behalf of a Flag Administration?
The purpose of the prototype approval on behalf of a Flag Administration is to provide formal documentary evidence of compliance with Flag Administration requirements: when a prototype is type approved on behalf of a Flag Administration, the acceptance of the design is granted for all products identical to the prototype for a period of time of five years (unless modification to the rules occurs in the mean time or otherwise established by the Flag Administration).

Which products is prototype approval on behalf of a Flag Administration applicable to?
Prototype approval on behalf of a Flag Administration is applicable to all products for which a type approval from the Administration is required by the International Conventions and or when required by the Flag Administration itself, such as oil filtering equipment, navigation lights, fire doors, fire hoses, inflatable liferafts, voyage data recorders.
For EU Flag Administrations see "Certification according to Marine Equipment Directive 96/98/EC as amended - MED".

How to proceed?
The procedure consists of the following main steps:

• Manufacturer's application
• Examination of technical documentation
• Preliminary approval of drawings, when required by the rules
• Definition of the test program
• Identification of the testing laboratory
• Execution of type tests
• Review of the test reports
• Issuance of RINA technical report for, or type approval certificate on behalf of, the Flag Administration

(*) - Depending on the products, further verifications and tests may be necessary to assess conformity of products to approved prototypes, e.g. by means of individual or alternative inspection schemes.