"Regulations" mean the regulations for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water to Minimize the Transfer of Harmful Aquatic Organisms and Pathogens.
"Treatment" means a process or mechanical, physical, chemical or biological method to kill, remove or render infertile, harmful or potentially harmful organisms within ballast water.
3 Application
3.1 [ ]
3.2 [ ]
4 Guideline Objectives and Background
4.1 The objectives of these guidelines are to assist governments and appropriate authorities, vessel operators and owners, port companies as well as other interested parties in complying with their obligations in relation to the regulations.
4.2 These guidelines have been developed under technical and scientific guidance and are intended to minimize the risk of introducing harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens from ships' ballast water and associated sediments.
4.3 The regulations allow port States to exempt ships within the area under their jurisdiction from part of, or all of the relevant provisions. Notwithstanding that any flag State wishes to apply restrictions to ballast water within its jurisdiction, it shall still follow the regulations taking full account of these guidelines.
4.4 In order that the regulations and the guidelines be implemented in a standard and uniform manner, all member state governments, vessel operators, other appropriate authorities and interested parties are requested to apply these guidelines designed to implement the standards in the regulations, when developing legislation or procedures.
5 Information
5.1 Governments are encouraged to exchange and maintain information relevant to compliance with these regulations and these guidelines through the Organization. Accordingly, governments are encouraged to provide the Organization with the following:
・ Technical information;
・ Copies of current domestic laws and regulations;
・ Education materials (such as audio and video tapes) and printed materials; and
・ Information on severe outbreaks or infestations of harmful aquatic organisms which may pose a risk.
