IACS

About IACS

Dedicated to safe ships and clean seas, IACS makes a unique contribution to maritime safety and regulation through technical support,
compliance verification and research and development. More than 90% of the world's cargo carrying tonnage is covered by the classification
design, construction and through-life compliance Rules and standards set by the twelve Member Societies of IACS.

Status

International Non-Governmental Organisation

Obligations/responsabilities

IACS is a Technical Association of its Members that develops and agrees minimum technical standards, interpretations to relevant international regulations and other relevant resolutions. All IACS publications are available on the IACS website.

IACS is not involved in the operational and commercial activities of its Members, including appraisal, approval surveying and testing of vessels, materials and equipment and the issuing of classification and statutory certificates where authorized.

Similarly, IACS does not certify companies’ products or services including Type Approval. However, IACS Members do.

Each IACS Member incorporates IACS standards into their own Rules. At the same time, each IACS Member remains free to set more stringent requirements in their Rules, if they wish to do so.

Role and /or Services

IACS has no role to play, no services to provide nor any responsibilities in responding to marine pollution incidents and is similarly not able to provide assistance upon request.

Resources

To assist those bodies/organisations that are looking for providers of shore-based emergency response services, IACS has produced Rec.145:

Recommendation for the Operation of Shore-Based Emergency Response Services which is available on its website at:
http://www.iacs.org.uk/publications/publications.aspx?pageid=4&sectionid=5

This publication gives recommendations for the operation of shore-based emergency response services in order to assist in complying with the following regulations and guidelines, as well as any applicable National Authority requirements.

• MARPOL Annex I, Regulation 37 - Shipboard oil pollution emergency plan (SOPEP)
• MARPOL Annex II, Regulation 17 - Shipboard marine pollution emergency plan for noxious liquid substances (SMPEP)
• Oil Pollution Act (OPA 90), CFR 155.240 - Damage stability information for oil tankers and offshore barges
• ISM Code, Regulation 8 - Emergency Preparedness
• SOLAS, Chapter II-1, Part B-1, Regulation 8-1 - System capabilities and operational information after a flooding casualty on passenger ships
• MSC Circular 1400 - Guidelines on Operational Information for Masters of Passenger Ships for Safe Return to Port by Own Power or Under Tow

Conditions

Use of the Website Materials materials, including Rec.145, is to be done only in accordance with the IACS Guidelines and Terms and Conditions.

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