SUB-COMMITEE ON DANGEROUS GOODS, SOLID CARGOES AND CONTAINERS
4th session
Agenda item 6
DSC 4/6/3
27 November 1998
Original： ENGLISH
AMENDMENTS TO SOLAS CHAPTERS VI AND VII TO MAKE THH IMDG CODE MANDATORY
Proposal for addition of a new regulation to ensure effective implementation of the LMDG Code
Submitted by Japan
SUMMARY
Executive summary： This paper proposes to add to the draft text of SOLAS chapter VII to make the IMDG Code manciatory (DSC 4/6) a new regulation to ensure effective implementation of the requirements of the IMDG Code.
Action to be taken： Paragraph 6.
Related documents： DSC 4/6. MSC 69/9/2 and MSC 69/22.
Introduction
1 Reference is made to the draft text of revised part A of chapter VII of SOLAS 74 to make the IMDG Code mandatory. (contained in DSC 4/6. annex 1). This document contains comments and a proposed additional regulation.
2 Japan supports in general the draft text of part A. but firmly believes that it is essential to include. in SOLAS chapter VII, provisions concerning the implementation of the IMDG Code requirements. Without taking appropriate steps to implement the Code requirements, the present exercise for making the IMDG Code mandatory might end up as a mere paper exercise without appreciable improvement of the state of compliance with the IMDG Code requirements by Contracting Governments. In fact, when the draft text of part D of chapter VII of SOLAS 74 to make the INF Code mandatory was considered by the working group, major changes to the existing INF Code incorporated in the mandatory INF Code were the introduction of provisions for survey, certification and port State control to ensure effective implementation of the mandatory. INF Code.
3 At an earlier meeting of the Sub-Committee, Member Governments reported on the outcome of container inspection programmes showing the status of observance of the IMDG Code requirements. The reports indicated that whilst some improvements were made, still a considerable proportion of the dangerous goods being transported did not comply with the Code requirements. Many Member Governments reported on measures taken to improve the observance of the Code requirements, including container inspection programmes recommended by IMO, pre-trip dangerous goods inspection. voluntary training courses on dangerous goods transportation, etc. Such measures have been effective to improve the sitruation to a considerable extent.
