On the 1st of January 2016 IMO Resolution A.1085(28) entered into force. This has introduced an amendment to International Regulations For Preventing Collisions At Sea, 1972, with Part F ‘Verification of compliance with the provisions of the Convention’ added. Part F contains three new rules:
- Rule 39 – Definitions
- Rule 40 -Application
- Rule 41 -Verification of compliance
The full text of the new rules is as follows:
PART F – Verification of compliance with the provisions of the Convention
Rule 39
Definitions
(a) Audit means a systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining audit evidence and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which audit criteria are fulfilled.
(b) Audit Scheme means the IMO Member State Audit Scheme established by the Organization and taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization.
(c) Code for Implementation means the IMO Instruments Implementation Code (III Code) adopted by the Organization by resolution A.1070(28).
(d) Audit Standard means the Code for Implementation.
Rule 40
Application
Contracting Parties shall use the provisions of the Code for Implementation in the execution of their obligations and responsibilities contained in the present Convention.
Rule 41
Verification of compliance
(a) Every Contracting Party shall be subject to periodic audits by the Organization in accordance with the audit standard to verify compliance with and implementation of the present Convention.
(b) The Secretary-General of the Organization shall have responsibility for administering the Audit Scheme, based on the guidelines developed by the Organization.
(c) Every Contracting Party shall have responsibility for facilitating the conduct of the audit and implementation of a programme of actions to address the findings, based on the guidelines developed by the Organization.
(d) Audit of all Contracting Parties shall be:
(i) based on an overall schedule developed by the Secretary-General of the Organization, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization; and
(ii) conducted at periodic intervals, taking into account the guidelines developed by the Organization.
IMO Resolution A.1085(28) is available to download below:
Download – IMO Resolution A.1085(28)
