When specifying anti-glare screens for a commercial vessel navigation bridge, Type Approval is the single most important compliance credential a product can hold. It is not a marketing claim. It is a formal, independently issued certification that confirms a product has been tested and assessed by a recognised marine classification society and found to meet the standards required for safe use on commercial vessels.
Solar Solve’s SOLASOLV® marine anti-glare screens hold Type Approval from four of the world’s leading classification societies — Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, and RINA. No other marine anti-glare screen in the world holds simultaneous certification from all four bodies.
But what does each of these approvals actually mean, and why does it matter which classification society has issued the certification? This article explains each approval, who recognises it, and what it means in practice for shipbuilders, vessel owners, and procurement managers specifying navigation bridge window products.
What Is Type Approval and Why Does It Matter?
Type Approval is an independent certification process in which a marine classification society independently tests and evaluates a product against a defined set of performance and safety criteria. If the product meets those criteria, the classification society issues a Type Approval certificate confirming that the product is fit for use on commercial vessels under their rules.
For navigation bridge window fittings, the key requirement is that the product must not impair the outward visibility of the officer of the watch. This is a direct requirement under IMO regulations and is assessed as part of the Type Approval process.
The critical difference between a Type Approved product and an unapproved alternative is that the Type Approved product has been independently verified. The performance claims have been tested by an external body, not simply stated by the manufacturer. The documentation exists, it is verifiable, and it is accepted by flag states and port state control authorities worldwide.
For shipbuilders and procurement managers, specifying a Type Approved product removes compliance risk entirely. For vessel owners, it provides documented proof that the products fitted to their navigation bridge windows meet internationally recognised safety standards. All four of Solar Solve’s Type Approval certificates are available to download directly from the Solar Solve downloads page.
Lloyd’s Register — The Original Approval, Issued May 2001
Lloyd’s Register is one of the world’s oldest and most respected marine classification societies, with a history of certifying ship safety stretching back more than 250 years. Headquartered in London, Lloyd’s Register is the primary classification body for UK-flag vessels and is recognised by the vast majority of maritime nations worldwide.
What Lloyd’s Register Type Approval Means
Lloyd’s Register Type Approval for SOLASOLV® marine screens was first awarded in May 2001. You can download the Lloyd’s Register Type Approval certificate directly from the Solar Solve website. This certification confirms that SOLASOLV® screens have been independently assessed by Lloyd’s Register and found to meet their requirements for navigation bridge window fittings on commercial vessels.
Lloyd’s Register Type Approval is particularly important for:
- Vessels registered under the UK flag
- Vessels built at shipyards where Lloyd’s Register is the appointed classification society
- Projects where the specification requires products approved by a UK-recognised certification body
- Procurement frameworks that reference Lloyd’s Register as an accepted standard
Because Lloyd’s Register is recognised by virtually every maritime nation in the world, this approval effectively validates SOLASOLV® screens for use on vessels operating under almost any flag state globally.
DNV — Offshore and Energy Sector Authority, Issued July 2002
DNV, formerly known as Det Norske Veritas, is the leading Norwegian classification society and one of the most widely respected maritime and offshore certification bodies in the world. Following its merger with Germanischer Lloyd to form DNV-GL, and subsequently reverting to the DNV name, it has maintained its position as the benchmark authority for offshore and energy sector vessel certification.
What DNV Type Approval Means
DNV Type Approval for SOLASOLV® screens was awarded in July 2002. You can download the DNV Type Approval certificate from the Solar Solve website. This certification confirms that SOLASOLV® screens meet DNV’s requirements for navigation bridge window fittings, independently assessed and verified by DNV’s technical auditors.
DNV Type Approval is particularly important for:
- Offshore construction vessels, drilling rigs, and platforms where DNV is the most commonly appointed classification society
- Vessels operating in the North Sea, Norwegian Continental Shelf, and other regions where DNV certification is the industry standard
- Energy sector projects where DNV approval is specified as a supplier qualification requirement
- Any vessel owner or operator whose fleet operates under DNV classification
For Solar Solve’s offshore customers in particular, DNV Type Approval is often the most critical certification on the documentation pack. The majority of offshore installation vessels, semi-submersibles, and floating production units operating in key offshore regions are DNV classed, making this approval essential for specifying SOLASOLV® screens in the offshore sector. You can also read more about how Type Approved sunblinds are specified for offshore oil rigs in our article on Type-Approved sunblinds for offshore oil rigs.
ABS — American Bureau of Shipping, Issued September 2001
ABS, the American Bureau of Shipping, is the primary classification society for vessels operating under the United States flag and the leading certification body for vessels involved in US government and naval procurement programmes. ABS is headquartered in Houston, Texas, and operates globally across commercial shipping, offshore, and government sectors.
What ABS Type Approval Means
ABS Type Approval for SOLASOLV® screens was awarded in September 2001. You can download the ABS Type Approval certificate directly from the Solar Solve website. This certification confirms that SOLASOLV® screens have been independently tested and assessed by ABS and meet their requirements for installation at navigation bridge windows on commercial and government vessels.
ABS Type Approval is particularly important for:
- Any vessel operating under the US flag
- Vessels built at US shipyards or specified under US government procurement frameworks
- Projects involving US federal government contracts, where ABS approval is frequently a mandatory supplier qualification requirement
- Offshore vessels operating in the Gulf of Mexico, where ABS is widely used as the classification society of record
For Solar Solve customers in North America and the Gulf of Mexico market, ABS Type Approval is not a supplementary credential — it is often a contractual requirement at the point of tender. SOLASOLV® screens meet this requirement with a certification that has been in place since September 2001.
RINA — Registro Italiano Navale, European Flag State Recognition
RINA, the Registro Italiano Navale, is the Italian classification society and a leading European maritime certification body. RINA is recognised across EU flag states and has a strong international presence across Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Asian shipping markets.
What RINA Type Approval Means
RINA Type Approval for SOLASOLV® screens confirms that the product meets RINA’s requirements for navigation bridge window fittings on commercial vessels, independently assessed and certified by RINA’s technical auditors. You can download the RINA Type Approval certificate from the Solar Solve downloads page.
RINA Type Approval is particularly important for:
- Vessels registered under Italian flag or other EU flag states where RINA is the appointed classification society
- Shipbuilding projects in Italy, Croatia, and other European yards where RINA classification is common
- Mediterranean and Middle Eastern shipping operators whose vessels are RINA classed
- Projects requiring EU-recognised classification society certification
RINA’s recognition across European flag states and its growing international presence makes this approval an important part of Solar Solve’s complete certification portfolio.
Why Holding All Four Approvals Matters
Each of the four classification societies — Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, and RINA — operates independently and issues its Type Approvals based on its own assessment process. Holding approval from one does not automatically confer approval from the others.
The fact that SOLASOLV® holds Type Approval from all four simultaneously means the product has been independently tested and certified four times over, by four separate external bodies, each applying their own technical standards and assessment criteria.
What This Means in Practice
| Classification Society | Flag States and Markets Covered |
|---|---|
| Lloyd’s Register | UK flag, worldwide maritime nations |
| DNV | Norway, offshore sector, North Sea, energy sector globally |
| ABS | USA flag, US government, Gulf of Mexico |
| RINA | Italy, EU flag states, Mediterranean, Middle East |
Together, these four approvals mean that SOLASOLV® screens are accepted as compliant by classification societies and flag state authorities covering virtually every commercial vessel operating anywhere in the world. No other marine anti-glare screen product holds this breadth of independent certification.
For a shipbuilder specifying navigation bridge window fittings across a mixed fleet, or a procurement manager sourcing for vessels under multiple flag states, this means a single product specification covers all requirements. There is no need to source different products for different classification societies or flag states. SOLASOLV® satisfies all of them.
Type Approval in Practice — What to Ask for at the Point of Specification
When specifying any marine anti-glare screen, procurement managers and shipbuilders should request the following documentation from the supplier:
- The original Type Approval certificate from each classification society, showing the product name, certification date, and scope of approval
- Confirmation that the certificate is current and has not expired or been withdrawn
- The specific products covered by each certificate, as some approvals may cover only certain products within a range
- Confirmation that the product being supplied matches exactly the product described in the certificate
The SOLASOLV® Products That Hold These Approvals
Both of Solar Solve’s core anti-glare screen products hold the full set of Type Approvals described in this article:
- SOLASAFE® (with cassette) — the cassette-mounted Type Approved anti-glare marine sunscreen, preferred for newbuild specification and professional retrofit installations.
- SOLAROLA® (without cassette) — the non-cassette Type Approved anti-glare marine sunscreen, the original Solar Solve product first installed in 1987 and continuously refined for over 50 years.
Both products are manufactured in South Shields, UK, and supplied to vessels, offshore rigs, and cranes of all types worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Type Approval for marine products?
Type Approval is an independent certification issued by a recognised marine classification society confirming that a product has been tested and assessed against defined performance and safety criteria for use on commercial vessels. It is issued following an independent evaluation by the classification society’s technical auditors, not self-declared by the manufacturer.
Which classification societies have Type Approved SOLASOLV® marine screens?
SOLASOLV® marine anti-glare screens hold Type Approval from Lloyd’s Register (May 2001), ABS — American Bureau of Shipping (September 2001), DNV (July 2002), and RINA — Registro Italiano Navale. No other marine anti-glare screen holds simultaneous Type Approval from all four of these classification societies.
Does Lloyd’s Register Type Approval cover vessels under all flag states?
Lloyd’s Register Type Approval is recognised by the UK and the vast majority of maritime nations worldwide. For most commercial vessels operating under non-US, non-Norwegian flag states, Lloyd’s Register approval provides the broadest international coverage.
Why is DNV Type Approval particularly important for offshore projects?
DNV is the leading classification society for offshore and energy sector vessels, particularly those operating in the North Sea, Norwegian Continental Shelf, and other major offshore regions. The majority of offshore construction vessels, drilling rigs, and floating production units in these regions are DNV classed, making DNV Type Approval a standard requirement for offshore project specifications.
Is ABS Type Approval required for vessels operating in the Gulf of Mexico?
ABS Type Approval is the primary certification requirement for US-flag vessels and vessels involved in US government procurement. For commercial projects in the Gulf of Mexico, ABS approval is frequently specified as a mandatory requirement at the point of tender. SOLASOLV® screens have held ABS Type Approval since September 2001.
Can I download SOLASOLV® Type Approval certificates for project documentation?
Yes. All four Type Approval certificates — Lloyd’s Register, DNV, ABS, and RINA — are available for download from the Solar Solve downloads page and can be included directly in project tender submissions, supplier qualification records, and flag state documentation.
