Specific provisions
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Assembly - IMO Resolution A.739(18) – Guidelines for the Authorization of Organizations Acting on Behalf of the Administration – (Adopted on 4 November 1993)Amended by Resolution MSC.208(81) - Annex - Guidelines for the Authorization of Organizations Acting on Behalf of the Administration - Appendix 1 - Minimum standards for recognized organizations acting on behalf of the Administration - Specific provisions

Specific provisions

  3 For the purpose of delegating authority to perform certification services of a statutory nature in accordance with regulatory instruments which require the ability to review applicable engineering designs, drawings, calculations and similar technical information to technical regulatory criteria as dictated by the Administration and to conduct field survey and inspection to ascertain the degree of compliance of structural and mechanical systems and components with such technical criteria, the following should apply:

  • .1 The organization should provide for the publication and systematic maintenance of rules and/or regulations in the English language for the design, construction and certification of ships and their associated essential engineering systems as well as the provision of an adequate research capability to ensure appropriate updating of the published criteria.

  • .2 The organization should allow participation in the development of its rules and/or regulations by representatives of the Administration and other parties concerned.

  • .3 The organization should be established with:

    • .3.1 a significant technical, managerial and support staff, catering also for capability of developing and maintaining rules and/or regulations; and

    • .3.2 a qualified professional staff to provide the required service representing an adequate geographical coverage and local representation as required.

  • .4 The organization should be governed by the principles of ethical behaviour, which should be contained in a Code of Ethics and as such recognize the inherent responsibility associated with a delegation of authority to include assurance as to the adequate performance of services as well as the confidentiality of related information as appropriate.

  • .5 The organization should demonstrate the technical, administrative and managerial competence and capacity to ensure the provision of quality services in a timely fashion.

  • .6 The organization should be prepared to provide relevant information to the Administration.

  • .7 The organization’s management should define and document its policy and objectives for, and commitment to, quality and ensure that this policy is understood, implemented and maintained at all levels in the organization.

  • .8 The organization should develop, implement and maintain an effective internal quality system based on appropriate parts of internationally recognized quality standards no less effective than ISO 9000 series, and which, inter alia, ensures that:

    • .8.1 the organization’s rules and/or regulations are established and maintained in a systematic manner;

    • .8.2 the organization’s rules and/or regulations are complied with;

    • .8.3 the requirements of the statutory work for which the organization is authorized, are satisfied;

    • .8.4 the responsibilities, authorities and interrelation of personnel whose work affects the quality of the organization’s services are defined and documented;

    • .8.5 all work is carried out under controlled conditions;

    • .8.6 a supervisory system is in place which monitors the actions and work carried out by the organization;

    • .8.7 a system for qualification of surveyors and continuous updating of their knowledge is implemented;

    • .8.8 records are maintained, demonstrating achievement of the required standards in the items covered by the services performed as well as the effective operation of the quality system; and

    • .8.9 a comprehensive system of planned and documented internal audits of the quality-related activities in all locations is implemented.

  • .9 The organization should be subject to certification of its quality system by an independent body of auditors recognized by the Administration.

  4 For the purpose of delegating authority to perform certification services of a statutory nature in accordance with regulatory instruments which require the ability to assess by audit and similar inspection of the relevant safety-management system attributes of shore-based ship management entities and shipboard personnel and systems, the following should, in addition, apply:

  • .1 the provision and application of proper procedures to assess the degree of compliance of the applicable shore-side and shipboard safety-management systems;

  • .2 the provision of a systematic training and qualification regime for its professional personnel engaged in the safety-management system certification process to ensure proficiency in the applicable quality and safety-management criteria as well as adequate knowledge of the technical and operational aspects of maritime safety management; and

  • .3 the means of assessing through the use of qualified professional staff the application and maintenance of the safety-management system, both shore-based as well as on board ships, intended to be covered in the certification.


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