(a) First, the Coast Guard will evaluate the organization's request for authorization and supporting written materials, looking for evidence of the following—

1. (1) The organization's clear assignment of management duties;
2. (2) Ethical standards for managers and auditors;
3. (3) Procedures for auditor training, qualification, certification, and requalification that are consistent with recognized industry standards;
4. (4) Procedures for auditing safety management systems that are consistent with recognized industry standards and IMO Resolution A.788(19);
5. (5) Acceptable standards for internal auditing and management review;
6. (6) Record-keeping standards for safety management auditing and certification;
7. (7) Methods for reporting non-conformities and recording completion of remedial actions;
8. (8) Methods for certifying safety management systems;
9. (9) Methods for periodic and intermediate audits of safety management systems;
10. (10) Methods for renewal audits of safety management systems;
11. (11) Methods for handling appeals; and
12. (12) Overall procedures consistent with IMO Resolution A.739(18), “Guidelines for the Authorization of Organizations Acting on Behalf of the Administration.”