2.1 If the liquid is to be shipped as a chemical,
the shipper should first check whether it is listed in chapter 17 or 18 of the IBC Code, excluding "Noxious (or non-noxious) liquid,
n.o.s." generic entries.
2.2 The liquids listed in the IBC
Code are mainly pure or technically pure chemicals, including
their aqueous solutions.
2.3 The list of substances in chapter 17 or 18 of the IBC Code is expected to be updated every two years.
2.4 The Index of Dangerous Chemicals Carried in
Bulk, issued by IMO, gives most of the commonly used synonyms of the
chemicals listed in the IBC Code. The index
is also expected to be expanded every two years in line with the IBC Code.
2.5 It is important that a chemical listed in
the IBC Code is shipped under the name listed
in the Code, instead of under a synonym, for ease of identification
by all those involved in its transport.
2.6 If the chemical is not listed in the IBC Code, the next step is to check the agreed and
proposed amendments to chapter 17 or 18 of the IBC Code and
the list of chemicals provisionally assessed by IMO. Such a list is
issued periodically under the cover of an MEPC circular.
2.7 If the chemical is neither listed in the IBC Code, nor provisionally assessed by IMO, it is
necessary to check whether it has already been provisionally assessed
by tripartite agreement by the shipping or producing country, flag
States and receiving countries for the intended shipment.
2.8 A list of chemicals provisionally assessed
by tripartite agreement is issued periodically under cover of an MEPC
circular different from that mentioned in 2.6. The same circular also
includes a separate list of pollutant-only mixtures of assessed substances,
covered later in section 5.
2.9 If the shipping or producing country is already
a Party to a provisional assessment of the chemical in question, of
which one or more of the flag States and/or receiving countries are
not Parties, the shipping or producing country will ask them to join
in the existing agreement.
2.10 If the chemical has already been assessed
by tripartite agreement by other Parties, the shipping or producing
country should review the basis of the precedent assessment, with
a view to concurring with it, unless new data are available or a more
accurate assimilation is proposed. In this case, the chemical should
be reassessed (see 4.5 to 4.7).
2.11 If the chemical proposed for shipment is
found in the list referred to in 2.8, the shipping or producing country
should inform those among the flag States and the receiving countries
which have not yet been informed that the chemical has already been
assigned to a generic entry in the IBC Code.