MSHA shall hold as confidential and shall not disclose principles or patentable features, nor shall it disclose any details of drawings, specifications, or related materials. The conduct of all investigations, tests, and demonstrations shall be under the direction and control of MSHA, and any other persons shall be present only as observers, except as noted in paragraph (b) of this section.

(a) Prior to the issuance of a letter of certification, necessary Government personnel, representatives of the applicant, and such other persons as are mutually agreed upon may observe the investigations or tests.

(b) When requested by MSHA the applicant shall provide assistance in assembling or disassembling components, subassemblies, or assemblies for testing, preparing components, subassemblies, or assemblies for testing, and operating the system during the tests.

(c) After the issuance of a letter of certification, MSHA may conduct such public demonstrations and tests of the certified methane-monitoring system or components as it deems appropriate.

[31 FR 10607, Aug. 9, 1966, as amended at 39 FR 24003, June 28, 1974]