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TIME TO GET READY IMDG CODE • AMENDMENT 40-20 TO THE IMDG CODE BECOMES MANDATORY IN JUNE. EXIS TECHNOLOGIES EXPLAINS WHAT USERS SHOULD LOOK FOR AND THE TOOLS IT OFFERS TO HELP
documentation in place generated by the shipper, and deepsea lines who need to book the dangerous goods onto their ships, stowed and segregated correctly and in a timely manner.
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC has caused a lot of disruption to the regulatory process, as it has to many dutyholders. In recognition of that disruption, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) allowed an extra six months before the latest edition of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code became mandatory. As a result, Amendment 40-20 will come into force on 1 June 2022 and remain valid as normal until 31 December 2023. Although the IMDG Code is updated every two years, a cause for concern is that not every company shipping dangerous goods on an international scale understands that this is a mandatory set of international rules – the
Exis Technologies also says that, in some cases, there is a lack of understanding about where the responsibility lies for complying with the Code and which goods are hazardous when presented for shipment. For the last 35 years Exis has been at the forefront of helping people to understand the IMDG Code, developing digital systems and training to allow them to ship dangerous in compliance with the regulations, safely and efficiently. To help its customers remain in compliance, Exis Technologies has been updating all of its products in line with Amendment 40-20. For instance, Hazcheck Validation systems help customers with substance enquiries, segregation, stowage and packaging checks
TRAINING FOR COMPLIANCE The Hazcheck Detect real-time cargo screening solution is now helping to identify mis-declared and undeclared dangerous goods in seconds. This helps to avoids life-threatening incidents such as ship fires, but that does not mean that industry can become complacent about fixing the root cause of some of the problems picked up by Hazcheck Detect. When it is a genuine mistake, rather than wilful intent to mis-declare or not declare dangerous goods, training can help. In 2010, IMDG Code Amendment 34-08 included mandatory training requirements for all shoreside staff involved in the handling and transport of dangerous goods by sea. The IMO Member Governments recognised that, to transport dangerous goods safely, people involved in those roles needed to be trained to an appropriate level for their role. Exis has
Code was originally adopted in 1965 but was given mandatory status under the umbrella of the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (Solas) in 2004. Dutyholders need also to be aware of the need to update their processes to comply with each new Amendment.
and the production of documentation required for shipping in the transport chain. The systems are suitable for all sea transport links from shore-based manufacturers of chemicals, to freight forwarders/logistics companies who need to get the dangerous goods to the shipping line with the correct
been producing IMDG Code e-learning training since it became mandatory and it is updated for every new Amendment. A range of job-specific and advanced courses is available and a refresher course is also provided. IMDG Code e-learning is a certified Det Norske Veritas Learning Programme. A certificate is
HCB MONTHLY | APRIL 2022
