(a) Each manufacturer of equipment or material who seeks Coast Guard approval under an applicable subpart must submit an application that meets §159.005-5 to the Commandant unless—

(1) The subpart contains a list of independent laboratories;

(2) The subpart does not require Coast Guard review prior to testing; and

(3) The manufacturer meets the requirements of paragraph (b) of this section.

(b) If the applicable subpart contains a list of independent laboratories and does not specifically require preapproval review by the Coast Guard, the manufacturer may have the tests performed by a listed laboratory and submit the report required by §159.005-11 to the Commandant.