The International Convention for Safe Containers (CSC),
1972, as amended, requires containers used for international transport,
excluding containers specifically designed for air transport, to meet
certain safety approval requirements and be periodically examined.
Container owners can choose to follow a periodic examination programme
(PEP) or may apply to the Administration (Contracting Parties) for
approval of a continuous examination programme (ACEP). This document
only addresses continuous examination programmes. Therefore, owners
desiring to examine containers under a PEP should contact their respective
Administration to determine if they have prescribed procedures for
periodic examination programmes.
The purpose of these Guidelines is to establish a unified
approach when developing a continuous examination programme by container
owners for submittal to an Administration for approval and when approving
continuous examination programmes by Administrations. These Guidelines
provide recommendations to help expedite development and approval
of examination programmes in accordance with CSC 1972, as amended.
Additionally, adherence to these Guidelines will help to establish
a means by which details concerning an approved programme can be easily
conveyed and communicated by owners to persons responsible for maintaining
their containers in accordance with an approved programme.
Format: In order to provide for ease of evaluation, reference
and filing, continuous examination programmes should follow these
format recommendations at the time of applications. Programme submittals
in hard copy format should be suitably assembled. Alternatively, Administrations
may encourage use of electronic media for document submittals. The
front cover should clearly identify the container owner. If the submitted
programme is completed on behalf of the container owner by another
organization, the submitting organization should be referenced on
the front cover as well.
1
Cover letter, requesting
approval for the submitted programme.
2.1 Brief description of Company's business operations.
2.2 Brief description of type and quantity of
containers to be subject to the programme.
2.3 Company head office contact information. Main
phone, fax, e-mail, website and address. Phone number and e-mail of
Company point of contact for ACEP issues, if different from head office.
2.4 Basic organization chart or information detailing
the responsibilities of key persons or positions associated with the
programme.
2.5 Confirmation that the Company agrees to implement
the approved programme and to maintain the safety of containers as
prescribed by CSC 1972, as amended.
3.1 Describe procedures for marking new and existing
containers with identification to show that the container is examined
under an ACEP as well as the procedure for restoration of damaged
or lost ACEP markings.
3.2 Describe the placement of the ACEP label on
the container and provide supplement with label image.
3.3 Describe how individual containers are uniquely
identified.
3.4 Describe procedures and obligation of the
container owner to remove (or not remove) the ACEP label if the container
is sold/leased.
4.1 Detail which industry accepted pass/fail criteria
is used for container examinations, repair and maintenance. If an
owner criterion is used, provide associated methods, scope and criteria
for conducting container examinations, repair and maintenance.
4.2 In case that no industry pass/fail criteria
is used, describe the methods for maintenance criteria that address
the design characteristics of the specific containers.
4.3 Describe any procedures for auditing container
examinations, either internal or external by or on behalf of the container
owner.
4.4 Detail the maximum time allowed between container
examinations. Identify events that trigger a container examination.
Describe the procedures to ensure that the maximum time allowed between
examinations is not exceeded.
4.5 Describe the methods to ensure that container
examinations are conducted by competent persons.
4.6 Describe procedures for repairing and re-examining
failed containers.
5.1 Describe the procedures for recording container
examination results and methods for tracking examinations through
the use of unique container serial numbers. If contractual personnel
or contracted container yards conduct container examinations, detail
the process for recording these examinations and the scope of information
to be recorded.
5.2 Describe the process for the automated exchange
of interchange and/or repair information. In case of non-automated
procedures, provide a copy of container owner inspection form(s) or
equipment interchange receipt(s) used in the programme.
5.3 Describe the means of identifying containers,
their last examination dates and any repair work in their records.
5.4 Describe the procedure to control examination
dates and the personnel responsible for control.
5.5 Specify the period of time that records will
be retained under control of the container owner.
5.6 Identify the location where examination records
are maintained and the personnel or organization responsible for control
of that location.
5.7 Detail examination record availability to
the Administration for inspection upon request.
5.8 If applicable, provide details on the inclusion
of the programme into the container owner's quality management programme.
5.9 Detail procedures for maintaining a file of
training certificates or records for personnel qualified to conduct
container examinations and the availability for review by the Administration
personnel upon request.
5.10 Describe the procedures for adding, removing
and updating containers in the programme.
5.11 Describe the procedure to ensure that only
containers equipped with a valid CSC Approval Plate will be included
in the programme.
6.1 Detail how the examination programme of the
lessor (owner) Company is transferred to the lessee or bailee Company
and is implemented under lease agreements.
6.2 Provide a sample copy of container lease agreements
and identify where the leases are maintained and the personnel and/or
organization responsible for control of the location.
7
Container compliance with
CSC
7.1 Provide a declaration from the applicant that
only containers approved under CSC are included in the programme.
7.2 Upon request by the Administration, the applicant
should provide evidence of approval (e.g. copies of approval certificates
or photos of Safety Approval Plates).
8.1 Upon results of consideration of the continuous
examination programme submitted to the Administration for approval
and of the audit to evaluate that all the provisions of ACEP are fulfilled,
the Administration should:
8.2 In accordance with the CSC 1972, regulation 2.7 of
annex I, Administrations shall make information on approved Continuous Examination
Programmes (ACEP) publicly available. This implies that Administrations are required not
only to make public their ACEP information, but also to disseminate to the public where
that information may be found. In this context, Administrations are urged to inform the
Organization of how the information can be obtainedfootnote. Such information should include, but need not be limited
to:
-
.1 Company's name and contact details;
-
.2 identification system of ACEP; and
-
.3 date of ACEP approval.
To facilitate accessibility, Administrations are encouraged to utilize the Global ACEP
Database, located at www.bic-acep.org, and described in the Instructions for use and
information concerning the Global ACEP Database (CSC.1/Circ.154).
8.3 Approved continuous examination programmes
should be reviewed by the Administration not later than 10 years after
approval or reapproval to ensure their continued viability.
8.4 Owners of approved programmes should notify
the approving Administration about significant changes as soon as
possible. Such changes may include modifications to:
8.5 Administrations should establish a programme
for conducting periodic reviews of approved programmes and periodically
enquire about changes made to approved programmes.