---
kind: "section"
citation: "33 C.F.R. § 97.310"
title: "33"
number: "97.310"
heading: "Criteria for authorization."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/33/97.310"
---

# §97.310. Criteria for authorization.

- (a) The Commandant will evaluate the organization's request for authorization and supporting written materials, looking for evidence of—
  - (1) The organization's clear assignment of management duties;
  - (2) Ethical standards for managers and cargo securing manual (CSM) reviewers;
  - (3) Procedures for personnel training, qualification, certification, and re-qualification that are consistent with recognized industry standards;
  - (4) Acceptable standards available for the organization's internal auditing and management review;
  - (5) Recordkeeping standards for CSM review and approval;
  - (6) Methods used to review and certify CSMs;
  - (7) Experience and knowledge demonstrating competency to evaluate CSMs for completeness and sufficiency according to the requirements of SOLAS;
  - (8) Methods for handling appeals; and
  - (9) Overall procedures consistent with Res.A.739(18), (incorporated by reference, see [§ 97.110](/cfr/33/97.110.md)).
- (b) After a favorable evaluation of the organization's request, the Commandant may arrange to visit the organization's corporate and port offices for an on-site evaluation of operations.
- (c) When a request is approved, the organization and the Coast Guard will enter into the written agreement provided for by [33 CFR 97.315](/cfr/33/97.315.md). If the request is not approved, the Commandant will give the organization a written explanation, and the organization may resubmit its request if it corrects any noted deficiencies.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306; E.O. 12234; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.

### Source

Source: USCG-2000-7080, 81 FR 28014, May 9, 2016, unless otherwise noted.