(a) This part contains the procedures for the approval of equipment and materials when that equipment or material is inspected or tested by an independent laboratory or by the manufacturer of the equipment or material.

(b) The regulations in this subchapter (parts 159 through 164) have preemptive effect over State or local regulations in the same field.

[CGD 76-048, 44 FR 73043, Dec. 17, 1979, as amended by USCG-2012-0196, 81 FR 48273, July 22, 2016]