1 The Maritime Safety Committee (the Committee), at its ninety-fourth session (17 to
21 November 2014), having considered a number of issues related to the drafting of
amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as
amended (the Convention) and related mandatory instruments, from the initial proposal
and preparation process to the approval and adoption stages and entry into force of
amendments, approved the Guidance on drafting of amendments to the 1974 SOLAS
Convention and related mandatory instruments (MSC.1/Circ.1500) (hereinafter
referred to as the Guidance).
2 The Committee, at its ninety-ninth session (16 to 25 May 2018), having
considered the amendments proposed by the Secretariat to address the Committee's
decisions taken after the approval of the Guidance, regarding its application to the
2011 ESP, IBC, IGC, IMDG and IMSBC Codes, amendments considered and finalized by
sub-committees in plenary within one session, minor corrections and procedure for the
production of certified true copies, approved the revised Guidance, as set out in the
annex.
3 Without prejudicing the amendments procedure specified in article VIII of
the Convention and the provisions set out in the Organization and method of work of
the Maritime Safety Committee and the Marine Environment Protection Committee and
their subsidiary bodies (MSC-MEPC.1/Circ.5/Rev.1), the information contained in
the annex provides relevant guidance for the drafting of amendments to the Convention
and related mandatory instruments, including procedural aspects related to the approval
and adoption of amendments.
4 Contracting Governments to the Convention are invited to take into account
the provisions of the present Guidance when submitting proposals for amendments in
accordance with article VIII(b)(i) of the Convention and/or proposals for new outputs in
accordance with section 4 of the Organization and method of work of the Maritime
Safety Committee and the Marine Environment Protection Committee and their
subsidiary bodies (MSC-MEPC.1/Circ.5/Rev.1).
5 The Committee and its subsidiary bodies, including working, drafting and
intersessional groups, should apply the present Guidance during the preparation of draft
amendments to the Convention and related mandatory instruments, as well as during the
approval and adoption stages.