A State is free to endorse any cartographic product it so wishes without the need to impose the same measures on other States by international recognition of approved charts.
Spain does not support the proposal.
Turkey
Turkey feels that the proposal requires more research.
United Kingdom
Who decides whom the competent authority to "approve" chart is? (Implication is that it would not be a HO. Where then would the expertise come from to "approve" the chart?)
Would the Administration accept responsibility and liability for the products they "approve"?
Will an Administration's "approval" of charts apply to its own waters or to all and how many"competent" authorities would this entail?
National HOs are free to seek the assistance of commercial organisations but it retains the ultimate responsibility for the quality of the products.
The United Kingdom's legal opinion is that the IMO is not an undertaking as defined in European Law and is therefore not subject to European antitrust or monopoly law or requirements.
The comparison with aviation charting is invalid. The terrain charted for aviation purposes has been comprehensively mapped. Features and their positions are well known and accurately surveyed. Also, the aircraft are generally flying above potential hazards except when landing or taking off and at all times they are under, and monitored by, air traffic control, which could warn them of potential dangers. This does not apply to a mariner. The nautical chart is more complicated and more important and should be under Government control.
The United Kingdom does not support the proposal.
United States
The responsibility for issuing charts and publications rests properly with Governments. The manner in which this responsibility is fulfilled is the prerogative of each Government and should not be subject to IMO regulation. The current draft regulations pertaining to nautical charting provide Governments with broad discretionary authority in this area, including the engagement of commercial assistance in order to meet their charting obligations.
The United States does not support the proposal.
