Certification of Safety Management Systems

Principles of certification of Safety Managment Systems
Information for Shipoperators

In addition to other functions performed for the benefit of numerous Flag State Administrations, Polski Rejestr Statków S.A. (further referred to as PRS S.A.) offers to domestic and foreign shipping Companies the Safety Management System (SMS) certification in accordance with the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention (ISM Code).

PRS S.A. operates certification system based on IMO Resolution A.913(22) – Revised Guidelines on Implementation of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code by Administrations by qualified, competent personnel responsible for impartial conducting certification process of a navigation Company and ensuring confidentiality of each information and documentation transferred during audit.

Starting from 1 July 1998, passenger ships, including passenger high-speed craft (irrespective of tonnage), oil tankers, chemical and gas carriers, bulk carriers and cargo high-speed craft of 500 gross tonnage and above shall comply with the requirements of the International Safety Management Code (ISM Code).

With respect to other cargo ships and mobile offshore drilling units of 500 gross tonnage and upwards, ISM Code became applicable from 1 July 2002.

ISM Code is the first, in the shipping history, formal and obligatory management standard for safe operation of ships and pollution prevention. The aim of ISM Code development was to regulate the principles of ships safe management and operation, thereby eliminating human errors which, in most cases are the cause of marine accidents. Such errors may be avoided through the preparation and implementation, in each company and on each ship a Safety Management System (SMS) complying with the requirements of ISM Code.

The responsibility for Safety Management System implementation and maintenance rests with Shipowner, Operator or Charterer.

Services, offered by Polski Rejestr Statkow, cover also certification of safety management systems. On satisfactory completion of the certification audit, Document of Compliance is issued to the Owner and a Safety Management Certificate is issued to the ship. Already a number of States have authorised PRS to certify safety management systems for conformance with the ISM Code requirements.

To Shipowners interested in certification of the quality management systems for compliance with ISO 9000 series, environmental management systems for compliance with ISO 14001 and others (see Certification) PRS offers an integrated ISM and ISO certification which is more cost effective.

For details see also:
Certification process
Supervision of Safety Management System
Use of the PRS S.A. ISM Code Certification Mark