1.1 Article 10
of the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships,
2001, hereinafter referred to as "the Convention", prescribes that ships shall be
surveyed and certified in accordance with the regulations of annex 4
to the Convention. The purpose of this document is to provide the Guidelines for
surveys and certification of anti-fouling systems on ships referred to in regulation
1(4)(a) of annex 4, hereinafter referred to as the "Guidelines", that will
assist the Administrations and recognized organizations in the uniform application of
the provisions of the Convention and assist companies, shipbuilders, manufacturers of
anti-fouling systems, as well as other interested parties to understand the process of
the surveys and issuance and endorsement of the certificates.
1.2 These Guidelines provide the procedures for survey to ensure that a ship's
anti-fouling system complies with the Convention, and those necessary for issuance and
endorsement of an International Anti-fouling System Certificate. A guidance for
compliant anti-fouling systems is given in appendix I to this annex.
1.3 These Guidelines apply to surveys of ships of 400 gross tonnage and above engaged in
international voyages, excluding fixed or floating platforms, floating storage units
(FSUs), and floating production storage and off-loading units (FPSOs), as specified in
regulation 1(1) of annex 4 to the Convention.
1.4 The sole purpose of the survey activities described in these Guidelines is to verify
compliance with the provisions of the Convention. Consequently, such surveys do not
relate to any aspect not regulated by the Convention even if such aspects relate to the
performance of an anti-fouling system on the hull of a ship, including the quality of
workmanship during the application process.
1.5 In the event that a new survey method is developed, or in the event that the use of
a certain anti-fouling system is prohibited and/or restricted, or in the light of
experience gained, these Guidelines may need to be revised in the future.