ISO increases confidence in certification of ship recycling management systems

An ISO publicly available specification (PAS) for bodies providing audit and certification of ship recycling management will help to increase the safety of workers and protection of the environment by providing requirements for independent recognition of good practice.

'ISO/PAS 30003:2008, Ships and marine technology — Ship recycling management systems — Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of ship recycling management', aims to instill confidence that the certification process has been carried out in a competent, consistent and reliable manner. The document will thus facilitate the recognition of accredited certification bodies and the acceptance of their certifications on an international basis.

“Certification is a recognised means for an organisation to provide assurance that it has effectively implemented a system for ship recycling management,” said Capt Charles Piersall, chair of ISO technical committee ISO/TC 8, Ships and marine technology.

"Clearly the independent third-party certification provides the highest level of confidence to the customer — industry or government — in meeting their expectations. ISO/PAS 30003, as a publicly available specification, will address an urgent market demand, while awaiting the publication of this useful document as a full International Standard.”

The document is targeted at third-party audit and certification bodies, but can be used by anybody involved in the assessment of management systems for the recycling of ships of all types and sizes, in both international and domestic trade.

ISO/PAS 30003 will:

• provide harmonised guidance for the accreditation of certification bodies applying for ISO 30000 registration/certification;
• define the rules applicable for the audit and certification of a ship recycling management system complying with the standard’s requirements; and
• offer customers the necessary information and confidence about the way certification of their waste and other material handling or service companies have been granted.

ISO/PAS 30003 will benefit shipping and ship recycling industries, shipyards, ship owners, maritime research institutes, universities for maritime technology, government ministries of shipping, navy, environment and labour, port authorities, classification societies and inspection agencies.