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National Register of Compliant Equipment
FAQs
- What is the National Register of Compliant Equipment (NRCE)
- What is the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV)?
- What is the National Standards for Recreational Boat Safety Equipment (NSRB - SE)?
- How is the NRCE controlled?
- What is Compliance with the USL Code/NSCV?
- Are products listed on the NRCE recognized by regulatory bodies?
- How can I list my product on the NRCE?
- What are the requirements for products to be listed on the NRCE?
- What do I need for an Appraiser Report to be accepted?
- Is listing on the NRCE mandatory?
- Do I need to have the product tested to list on the NRCE?
- Who can test products for listing on the NRCE?
- Why have a common NRCE?
- Does listing on the NRCE indicate high quality products?
- How long does a product remain listed on the NRCE?
- Is there a fee for listing products on the NRCE?
What is the National Register of Compliant Equipment (NRCE)?
The NRCE is a register of products and systems that have been approved as complying with requirements of the Uniform Shipping Laws (USL) Code/National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) or the National Standard for Recreational Boat Safety Equipment (NSRB - SE). The products and systems accepted for inclusion on the NRCE have been approved by a recognised product certification body or testing and listing body. The Register is administered by the National Marine Safety Committee (NMSC).
What is the National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV)?
The National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) is the new principal technical Standard for commercial vessels. It will replace the USL Code and is currently in various stages of publication. Stakeholders will be notified by the NMSC through its usual channels when the status of the USL Code and the NSCV changes.
What is the National Standards for Recreational Boat Safety Equipment (NSRB - SE)?
The National Standard for Recreational Boat Safety Equipment (NSRB - SE) is the new principal technical Standard for recreational boats that specifices the requirements for safety equipment that is suitable for use on recreational boats.
How is the NRCE controlled?
The Register is subject to operation in accordance with the NRCE Policy and Procedures. This policy was developed and is maintained by the NMSC. A copy of this policy can be downloaded from the Documents page of the NRCE.
What is Compliance with the USL Code/NSCV/NSRB-SE?
Compliance is recognition that marine safety product/system design and manufacture meets the requirements of the USL Code/NSCV or the NSRB-SE. Compliance can apply to new and innovative products and systems for which internationally recognised test protocols exist, as well as to existing commonly used products and systems. Compliance with the USL Code/NSCV or the NSRB-SE can be demonstrated by submission of an Appraiser Report from a recognised product certification body or testing and listing authority.
Are products listed on the NRCE recognized by regulatory bodies?
Yes, provided the specified conditions for its use are maintained, all State/Territory marine authorities should approve the product or system for use on domestic commercial vessels.
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How can I list my product on the NRCE?
The procedure to have a product listed on the NRCE is a two-stage process.
Firstly, the Applicant must have the product appraised by an independent product certification body to establish compliance with the USL Code / NSCV or the NSRB-SE. This product certification body will issue an Appraiser Report.The applicant must also establish an ongoing compliance audit program with an independent product certification body.
Secondly, the Applicant submits to the NRCE Administrator the correctly completed application form, the Appraiser Report, and the required audit declaration. The application form must have the declaration signed to be valid.
The application form and submission information are available from the Product Approval page of the NRCE.
What are the requirements for products to be listed on the NRCE?
A marine product or system will only be listed on the NRCE following consideration of an application, which includes the details of the appliance, the Applicant and a declaration that an ongoing audit plan is in place, complete with an accompanying Appraiser Report indicating compliance with the USL Code / NSCV or the NSRB-SE as applicable, in accordance with the NRCE Policy and Procedures .
What do I need for an Appraiser Report to be accepted?
An Appraiser Report must be issued by an independent product certification body. The Appraiser Report must contain the following information:
- A full description of the product or system.
- The appraised use of the product or system, along with any limitations or restrictions on its use.
- An opinion that the appraised product or system is suitable for its appraised purpose and that it meets the requirements of the USL Code / NSCV or NSRB - SE.
- The opinion shall include a summary of any tests, calculations, inspections or other evidence that forms the basis of the opinion.
- The details of how any licence or approval are obtained, if it is required that the product or system be installed by a specialist installer/applicator.
- The details for design, storage, installation and maintenance of the product or system, where appropriate.
- The date of the appraisal.
More information is contained on the product approval section of the NRCE.
Is listing on the NRCE mandatory?
No, products may be submitted to individual State/Territory marine authorities for acceptance approval in each area of jurisdiction where it will be used. However listing on the NRCE is the only source commonly acceptable to more than one State/Territory marine authority for checking compliance of the same product, and it is in the interests of suppliers to use this single point of listing.
Do I need to have the product tested to list on the NRCE?
This depends on the requirements of the applicable appendix/annex in the USL Code/NSCV or NSRB - SE, and the nature of the product. An Appraiser Report, which includes a statement of product compliance with the USL Code/NSCV or NSRB - SE, must be provided for product listing. More information is contained on the product approval section of the NRCE.
Who can test products for listing on the NRCE?
An independent product certification body, recognised by the NMSC can test the products. The following organisations are recognized by the NMSC as being qualified to issue an Appraiser Report, which will be accepted by the NMSC Register of Compliant Equipment:
- A certifying body accredited by the Joint Accreditation Scheme of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ).
- One of the following recognised, Australian-based testing and listing authorities:
- A laboratory with applicable NATA accreditation
- Factory Mutual (FM).
- Loss Prevention Council (LPC).
- Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
- A ship classification society recognised by Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).
- A Notified Body in accordance with the EU Marine Equipment Directive, Module B (MED-B) or, in the case of personal floatation devices (PFDs) for use on recreational craft, the Personal Protective Equipment Directive, [in accordance with Article 10 of that Directive].
More information is contained on the product approval section of the NRCE.
Why have a common NRCE?
The concept of the NRCE was created by the NMSC through consultation with its stakeholders, to provide a common source of information about compliant marine safety product acceptable to all State/Territory marine authorities.
Listing on the Register should provide nationwide recognition that all State/Territory marine authorities approve the product or system for use on domestic commercial vessels. The total cost of compliance assessment and listing (including testing and appraisal) compares favourably with the time and expense of approaching each individual marine authority directly for approval or acceptance.
Does listing on the NRCE indicate high quality products?
The NRCE leaves quality of the individual product to be determined by the market place and thus listing indicates only that the Applicant declares that the product meets the requirements of the NRCE Policy and Procedures. This policy calls for an annual audit to ascertain that technical compliance of the product with the USL Code/NSCV or NSRB - SE is maintained throughout the life of the product listing. More information is contained on the product approval section of the NRCE.
How long does a product remain listed on the NRCE?
Listing on the Register will be valid for a period of five (5) years. The currency of an appraisal must be maintained during the life of the Listing. After the five (5) year listing period, the product has “expired” and must be re-listed.
Products or systems can be re-listed in five (5) year increments. Re-listing requires provision of a new application form reflecting product/applicant information current at the time of re-listing and an updated Appraiser report evidencing compliance applicable to the new listing period.
Is there a fee for listing products on the NRCE?
Yes. The NMSC National Register of Compliant Equipment scheme is aimed at cost recovery. The NRCE Administrator's costs of considering an application for certification are recovered by way of a fee structure comprised of two (2) components:
1. Annual Subscription Fee (includes joining fee),
2. Product Listing Fee
Details of the fee structure and payment methods are described in the Explanation Notes and the Guide for Applicants.
