The Parties to this Convention,
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - International Conventions - AFS - International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, 2001 - Articles of the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, 2001 - The Parties to this Convention,

The Parties to this Convention,

 NOTING that scientific studies and investigations by Governments and competent international organizations have shown that certain anti-fouling systems used on ships pose a substantial risk of toxicity and other chronic impacts to ecologically and economically important marine organisms and also that human health may be harmed as a result of the consumption of affected seafood,

 NOTING IN PARTICULAR the serious concern regarding anti-fouling systems that use organotin compounds as biocides and being convinced that the introduction of such organotins into the environment must be phased-out,

 RECALLING that Chapter 17 of Agenda 21 adopted by the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, 1992, calls upon States to take measures to reduce pollution caused by organotin compounds used in anti-fouling systems,

 RECALLING ALSO that resolution A.895(21), adopted by the Assembly of the International Maritime Organization on 25 November 1999, urges the Organization's Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) to work towards the expeditious development of a global legally binding instrument to address the harmful effects of anti-fouling systems as a matter of urgency,

 MINDFUL OF the precautionary approach set out in Principle 15 of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and referred to in resolution MEPC.67(37) adopted by MEPC on 15 September 1995,

 RECOGNIZING the importance of protecting the marine environment and human health from adverse effects of anti-fouling systems,

 RECOGNIZING ALSO that the use of anti-fouling systems to prevent the build-up of organisms on the surface of ships is of critical importance to efficient commerce, shipping and impeding the spread of harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens,

 RECOGNIZING FURTHER the need to continue to develop anti-fouling systems which are effective and environmentally safe and to promote the substitution of harmful systems by less harmful systems or preferably harmless systems,

 HAVE AGREED as follows:

Parent topic: Articles of the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, 2001
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