4.8 International Association of Classification Societies[1]

4.8.4.1.International Association of Classification Societies[1]

Written by Alf Magne Horneland

The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) is an umbrella organization of ten classification socities. It was founded on September 11, 1968. It headquarters are in London, UK.

4.8.1 IACS Activity

Its main area of interest is technical support, compliance verification and research and development within the field of maritime safety and regulation.

The classification societies cover more than 90% of the world’s fleet, concerning design, construction and compliance with rules and standards through-out the ship’s life. Maritime health is an integral part of those issues addressed by IACS, such as designing of medical facilities on board, medical communications and MEDEVAC²⁹arrangements. Compliance with the regulations of Maritime Labour Convention probably will be a new field for certification from the classification societies in the future, as they probably will deal with the flag state control for different shipping nations.

IACS is a non-governmental organisation who is allowed to develop guidances for the International Maritime Organization(IMO). In other words, the IACS was given consultative status with IMO, and remains the only non-governmental organisation with observer status which is able to develop and apply rules. The quality of the rules is written in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).