§892b Quality Assurance Program

Summary

Requires the Administrator to set up a quality assurance program, by not later than 2 years after December 19, 2002, if money is available. The program must be open to all applicants and can certify non‑Federal products or services that include hydrographic data (hydrographic product — any public or commercial product or service showing hydrographic data). The Administrator may allow use of the agency emblem or trademark on certified products and may charge a fee for certification or emblem use. Any fee may not be more than the costs of testing, evaluation, studies, and running the program needed to check the standards the Administrator created under section 892a(a)(3). The law says the United States is not responsible for negligence by a person who makes a certified hydrographic product. It creates a Hydrographic Services Account in the Treasury to hold the fees and other money provided by law. Money in that account is available to the Administrator, without more appropriation, for hydrographic services. After November 13, 1998, the Administrator cannot set or raise fees for hydrographic services except as this section and section 1307 of title 44 allow.