Proposal for a Council Decision on the position to be adopted, on behalf of the European Union, at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) with regard to the adoption of certain Codes and related amendments to Conventions

The present Commission proposal concerns the establishment of the Union position in different IMO bodies in relation to the following:
(a) The adoption of an IMO Instruments Implementation Code (hereinafter referred to as the "III Code");
(b) The adoption of an IMO Code for Recognised Organisations (hereinafter referred to as the "RO Code");
(c) The adoption of amendments to certain international conventions; and
(d) The acceptance of those amendments in accordance with the respective provisions in the conventions concerned.

The draft III Code has the objective to enhance global maritime safety and protection of the marine environment. The Code contains both mandatory provisions and recommendations addressing those aspects which are considered necessary for a Contracting Party to give full and complete effect to the provisions of the applicable international instruments to which it is a Contracting Party.

The draft RO Code has the objective to provide flag States with a standard for the assessment and authorisation of recognised organisations as well as mechanisms for the consistent, efficient and effective oversight of recognised organisations, and to clarify the responsibilities of organisations authorised as recognised organisations and the scope of that authorisation. The Code applies to all organisations being considered for recognition or that are recognised by a flag State to perform, on its behalf, statutory certification and services under mandatory IMO instruments and national legislation, and to all flag States that intend to grant that recognition.

EUR-Lex: COM(2013)208: Follow the progress of this proposal through the decision-making procedure http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2013:208:FIN

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