Work programme of the Group
45 As requested by the MEPC Chairman, the Working Group reviewed its work programme, giving particular attention to the timing of an IMO Conference to consider legally binding provisions for ballast water management in the form of an Annex to MARPOL 73/78. Because of the need for a uniform global approach, and to overcome the difficulties presented by individual member countries acting unilaterally, the Working Group recommended very strongly that necessary arrangements be put in place to enable this Conference to be held in the year 2000 (MEPC 40/WP. 12)3.
Action by the Committee
46 The Committee is invited to approve the report of the Working Group on Ballast Water which reflects the results of its meeting held during MEPC 40.
47 The Committee may emphasize the need for the Group to review its set of legally binding provisions with a view to completing the draft text, in conjunction with the implementation guidelines thereto.
3The Committee considered.the work programme (MEPC 40/WP. 12)and agreed to the schedule as set out in that programme (MEPC 40/21, paragraph 10.7).
