Product testing results and records.

§ 229.313 Product testing results and records. (a) Results of product testing conducted by a railroad as required by this subpart shall be recorded on preprinted forms provided by the railroad, or stored electronically. Electronic recordkeeping or automated tracking systems, subject to the provisions contained in paragraph (e) of this section, may be utilized to store and maintain any testing or training record required by this subpart. Results of product testing conducted by a vendor or private equipment owner in support of a SA shall be provided to the railroad as part of the SA. (b) The testing records shall contain all of the following: (1) The name of the railroad; (2) The location and date that the test was conducted; (3) The equipment tested; (4) The results of tests; (5) The repairs or replacement of equipment; (6) Any preventative adjustments made; and (7) The condition in which the equipment is left. (c) Each record shall be: (1) Signed by the employee conducting the test, or electronically coded, or identified by the automated test equipment number; (2) Filed in the office of a supervisory official having jurisdiction, unless otherwise noted; and (3) Available for inspection and copying by FRA. (d) The results of the testing conducted in accordance with this subpart shall be retained as follows: (1) The results of tests that pertain to installation or modification of a product shall be retained for the life-cycle of the product tested and may be kept in any office designated by the railroad; (2) The results of periodic tests required for the maintenance or repair of the product tested shall be retained until the next record is filed and in no case less than one year; and (3) The results of all other tests and training shall be retained until the next record is filed and in no case less than one year. (e) Electronic or automated tracking systems used to meet the requirements contained in paragraph (a) of this section shall be capable of being reviewed and monitored by FRA at any time to ensure the integrity of the system. FRA's Associate Administrator for Safety may prohibit or revoke a railroad's authority to utilize an electronic or automated tracking system in lieu of preprinted forms if FRA finds that the electronic or automated tracking system is not properly secured, is inaccessible to FRA, or railroad employees requiring access to discharge their assigned duties, or fails to adequately track and monitor the equipment. The Associate Administrator for Safety will provide the affected railroad with a written statement of the basis for the decision prohibiting or revoking the railroad from utilizing an electronic or automated tracking system.