Where a regulation requires that a particular fitting, material, appliance, apparatus, item of equipment or type thereof should be fitted or carried in a ship, or that any particular provision should be made, or any procedure or arrangement should be complied with, the Secretary of State shall allow any other fitting, material, appliance, apparatus, item of equipment or type thereof to be fitted or carried, or any other provision, procedure or arrangement to be made in that ship, if he is satisfied by trial thereof or otherwise that such fitting, material, appliance, apparatus, item of equipment or type thereof, or that any particular provision, procedure or arrangement is at least as effective as that required by the appropriate Regulations.

The results of tests and certificates relating to them, carried out by an inspection and control body or a laboratory which is officially recognised in another member State of the European Community, offering independent and professional technical guarantees which are suitable and satisfactory shall be considered equivalent.