[ Registration Will Prioritise ISM Code Certifications ]

A register for ships and companies in process of seeking compliance wi
th the ISM Code has been launched 1 October 1997 by the International
Association of Classification Societies(IACS).
Under the scheme, companies registered prior to 1 January 1998 will ge
t priority treatment for compliance auditing and certification under t
he Code. In effect, IACS is drawing a clear distinction in attitude to
wards companies actively seeking to comply and those which are not.
Recognising the complex and interactive nature of ISM Code auditing an
d certification, the IACS initiative provides for a formal attestation
for those owners and operators whto have seriously and formally progr
essed the implementation of their safety management system pursuant to
ISM Code certification and are well on the way to achieving full comp
liance by the “Phase 1 ” deadline of 1 July 1998.