(a) First, the Coast Guard will evaluate the organization's request for authorization and supporting written materials, looking for evidence of the following -
(1) The organization's clear assignment of management duties;
(2) Ethical standards for managers and auditors;
(3) Procedures for auditor training, qualification, certification, and requalification that are consistent with recognized industry standards;
(4) Procedures for auditing safety management systems that are consistent with recognized industry standards and IMO Resolution A.788(19);
(5) Acceptable standards for internal auditing and management review;
(6) Record-keeping standards for safety management auditing and certification;
(7) Methods for reporting non-conformities and recording completion of remedial actions;
(8) Methods for certifying safety management systems;
(9) Methods for periodic and intermediate audits of safety management systems;
(10) Methods for renewal audits of safety management systems;
(11) Methods for handling appeals; and
(12) Overall procedures consistent with IMO Resolution A.739(18), “Guidelines for the Authorization of Organizations Acting on Behalf of the Administration.”
(b) After a favorable evaluation of the organization's written request, the Coast Guard will arrange to visit the organization's corporate offices and port offices for an on-site evaluation of operations.
(c) When a request is approved, the recognized organization and the Coast Guard will enter into a written agreement. This agreement will define the scope, terms, conditions and requirements of the authorization. Conditions of this agreement are found in § 96.460 of this part.