Clasification Society Rulefinder 2016 - Version 9.25
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Assembly - IMO Resolution A.1071(28) – Revised Guidelines on the Implementation of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code by Administrations – (Adopted on 4 December 2013) - Revised Guidelines on the Implementation of the ISM Code by Administrations - 1 INTRODUCTION

1 INTRODUCTION

  1.1 The ISM Code

  1.1.1 The International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (International Safety Management (ISM) Code) was adopted by the Organization by resolution A.741(18) and became mandatory by virtue of the entry into force, on 1 July 1998, of SOLAS chapter IX on Management for the Safe Operation of Ships. The ISM Code provides an international standard for the safe management and operation of ships and for pollution prevention.

  1.1.2 The Maritime Safety Committee, at its ninety-second session held in June 2013, adopted amendments to sections 3, 6, 12 and 14 and footnotes of the ISM Code by resolution MSC.353(92). As a result it was necessary to revise the Guidelines on the implementation of the ISM Code by Administrations (resolution A.1022(26)), which are superseded by these Revised Guidelines.

  1.1.3 The ISM Code requires that companies establish safety objectives as described in section 1.2 (Objectives) of the ISM Code and, in addition, that companies develop, implement and maintain a safety management system which includes functional requirements as listed in the Code's section 1.4 (Functional requirements for a safety management system).

  1.1.4 The application of the ISM Code should support and encourage the development of a safety culture in shipping. Success factors for the development of a culture that promotes safety and environmental protection are, inter alia, commitment, values, beliefs and clarity of the safety management system.

  1.2 Mandatory application of the ISM Code

  1.2.1 The appropriate organization of management, ashore and on board, is needed to ensure adequate standards of safety and pollution prevention. A systematic approach to management by those responsible for management of ships is therefore required. The objectives of the mandatory application of the ISM Code are to ensure:

  • .1 compliance with mandatory rules and regulations related to the safe operation of ships and protection of the environment; and

  • .2 the effective implementation and enforcement thereof by Administrations.

  1.2.2 Effective enforcement by Administrations must include verification that the safety management system complies with the requirements as stipulated in the ISM Code, as well as verification of compliance with mandatory rules and regulations.

  1.2.3 The mandatory application of the ISM Code should ensure, support and encourage that applicable codes, guidelines and standards recommended by the Organization, Administrations, classification societies and maritime industry organizations are taken into account.

  1.3 Verification and certification responsibilities

  1.3.1 The Administration is responsible for verifying compliance with the requirements of the ISM Code and for issuing Documents of Compliance to companies and Safety Management Certificates to ships.

  1.3.2 The Guidelines for the authorization of organizations acting on behalf of the Administration (resolution A.739(18)) and the Specifications on the survey and certification functions of recognized organizations acting on behalf of the Administration (resolution A.789(19)), which have been made mandatory by virtue of SOLAS regulation XI/1, and the Guidelines to assist flag States in the implementation of IMO instruments (resolution A.847(20)) are applicable when Administrations authorize organizations to issue Documents of Compliance and Safety Management Certificates on their behalf.

Parent topic: Revised Guidelines on the Implementation of the ISM Code by Administrations
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