When this part requires a particular fitting, material, or lifesaving appliance or arrangement, the Commandant (CG-ENG) may accept any other fitting, material, or lifesaving appliance or arrangement that is at least as effective as that required by this part. The Commandant may require engineering evaluations and tests to determine the equivalent effectiveness of the substitute fitting, material, or lifesaving appliance or arrangement. [CGD 84-069, 61 FR 25313, May 20, 1996, as amended by USCG-2009-0702, 74 FR 49241, Sept. 25, 2009]