IP/06/1369
Brussels, 12 October 2006
Maritime Safety: the Commission reviews the classification societies The European Commission has today adopted a report on evaluating the quality of the work of the classification societies, which are the bodies responsible for certifying ship safety. Following the adoption of the “ERIKA I”[1] and “ERIKA II”[2] legislative packages, the Commission was entrusted with this evaluation, which it has carried out with the help of the European Maritime Safety Agency. Today’s report shows the progress which has been made following two years of intensive work. “The classification societies are an essential link in the quality assurance chain for ships in European waters. We are satisfied with the results of our inspections, which were carried out with the cooperation of the societies involved”, said Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the Commission responsible for transport, adding “However, there is still some way to go before we reach the level of safety demanded by European citizens”.
The Commission’s report confirms the high technical standard of the classification societies approved by the Community, but it points to a certain number of weaknesses in the way they are operated. The Commission wishes to tackle those problems from now on rigorously and by emphasising prevention. "I have asked the European Maritime Safety Agency to step up its monitoring", said Mr Barrot.
The Commission’s report also looks into the impact of the liability regime of the classification societies introduced by Directive 2001/105/EC. The Commission takes the view that, since there has been no opportunity to test the regime before the courts, it is too soon to attempt to reform it at this stage.
In connection with the 3rd “Maritime Safety” package, the Commission proposes to reform the Community classification societies regime. This reform would include, among other things, the creation of an independent structure responsible for certifying the quality control system of approved societies and the introduction of a system of financial penalties for those which fail to fulfil their obligations properly.
[1] See Regulation (EC) No 2001/105 of the European Parliament and of the Council, OJ L 324, 29.11.2002, p. 53.
[2] See Regulation (EC) No 1406/2002 of the European Parliament and of the Council, OJ L 208, 5.8.2002, p. 1.
