---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 U.S.C. § 2118"
title: "46"
title_heading: "Shipping"
number: "2118"
heading: "Establishment of equipment standards"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/46/2118"
units:
  - "Subtitle II — Vessels and Seamen"
  - "Part A — General Provisions"
  - "Chapter 21 — General"
---

# §2118. Establishment of equipment standards

- (a) In establishing standards for approved equipment required on vessels subject to part B of this subtitle, the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) shall establish standards that are—
  - (1) based on performance using the best available technology that is economically achievable; and
  - (2) operationally practical.
- (b) Using the standards established under [subsection (a)](#a), the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) may also certify lifesaving equipment that is not required to be carried on vessels subject to part B of this subtitle to ensure that such equipment is suitable for its intended purpose.
- (c) At least once every 10 years the [Secretary](/usc/46/2101.md?p=46) shall review and revise the standards established under [subsection (a)](#a) to ensure that the standards meet the requirements of this section.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 111–281, title VI, § 608(a), Oct. 15, 2010, 124 Stat. 2968; amended Pub. L. 114–120, title III, § 306(a)(2), Feb. 8, 2016, 130 Stat. 54.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2016—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 114–120, § 306(a)(2)(A), substituted “subtitle,” for “title,”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–120, § 306(a)(2)(B), substituted “subtitle” for “title”.