FIRE SAFETYNEED FOR REGULATION

On 10 August 1971, the President of the United States signed into law the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1971 (PL 92-75). This law gives the Coast Guard statutory authority to promulgate safety standards for recreational boats and associated equipment. In establishing a need for formulating and prescribing regulations and standards we must: 1) consider the need for and the extent to which the regulations or standards will contribute to boating safety; 2) consider relevant available boat safety standards, statistics and data, including public and private research, development, testing, and evaluation; 3) consider whether any proposed regulation or standard is reasonable and appropriate for the particular type of boat or associated equipment for which it is prescribed; and 4) consult with the Boating Safety Advisory Council comprising 7 State Boating Administrators, 7 Industry Representatives and 7 Public Members.

The presentation herein is an example of a justification for need in one particular areaFIRE SAFETY. However, it will be demonstrated that the approach is and can be used for other standards applications. Examples of these will be described.