Im not sure whether my comment came across as intended, The cfr';s mandate vips be done in a preticular manor and time frame. cfr's are legal. The statement on a tank saying that the tank has been inspected by the manufacturer is a valid vip inspection good for up to one year from the manufacturer's date which is taken as the hydo date. In the span of time this issue is a very minor one. Many shops do not accept that premis and require a sticker to boot, but it is not necessary. I have never seen a shop actually do a vip on a new tank. they check the date on the hydro and accept it or they apply a sticker with a good date that alligns with the hydro date. Most shops operate on the idea that it is only 15 bucks for an vis and effectivly charge the customer 15 bucks for he first sticker to document an inspection they did not do themselves but have to have to get air. A SCAM OF SORTS, Others say that the vip sticker includes the valve and that the tank alone can not be blindly stickered unless a new valve is applied that has the same statement form the maker that the valve has been inspected. There are a lot of games played in shops over the years. There are a lot of technical valid concerns also like receiving a new tank with out the neck being sealed and or plastic thread plug installed. Again it makes no difference to me because it is an only first application issue. Vip stickers say a lot of different things that mean anywhere to nothing to actual standard references. My air stickers say they comply with PSI osha and cga standards. PSI standards????? they are nothing more than the complilation of the other standards. As I see it PSI standards are that you cmply with federal standards. OSHA AND CGA carry weight of law. Other stickers say this valve and tank meets _________ standards. You can fill in the blank with the selevtive salad of words such as SCUBA INDUSTRY, THIS SHOPS, US, MANUFACTURERS, SCUBA ASSOCIATION and others. all words that mean nothing. And that sticker is slapped on top of a bunch of other stickers. An act that itself says a probper inspection was not done. To be honest to be able to go home and print off your own sticker, put a bunch of words on it, and it be accepted is amazing to me. Much like going home and printing your own 18 wheeler drivers license, or pilot license. Of course this topic like many others will always be a heated debate. Hesated depates include thingsl ike O2 systems and maintenance. Too be honest I dont know anyone that complies wth those standards. But that is another topic that is full of equally diverse views.