It is possible to add the 'Approvals' functionality to a normal 'file'. This is only possible if your user profile is set to allow creation of Document for Approval (your local GVO manager can add this to your profile).
To do this follow the steps below...
1. Navigate to the 'file' where you want to switch the Approvals on.
2. Use Actions/Add Approval Options
3. The Document will refresh and you will now see the 'Approval' tab (next to Preview).
4. To remove the Approval Options from a Document then navigate to the document and use Actions/Remove Approval Options - please note that all approvals recorded on this document will be lost.
In the folder listing any document with 'approval' options available will be shown with the following icon (see example below).
Icon to show approvals are available... 
Example of how it looks in the list of items in a folder
