ISM-Code

The requirements for ICS auditors assigned to perform ISM-Code Certification are as follow:

1. Criteria for verification of compliance with the requirements of the ISM-Code shall be in accordance with the applicable sections of the IMO Resolution A.913 (22) “Revised Guidelines on the Implementation of the ISM-Code by Administrations” and IMO Resolution A.741 (18) “International Safety Management (ISM) Code” as amended by MSC. 104 (73).
2. ISM-Code auditor participating in the verification of compliance with the requirements of the ISM-Code should have a minimum of formal education comprising the following:
   1. Qualifications from a tertiary institution recognized by the Administration or by the Recognized Organization within a relevant field of Engineering or Physical Science (minimum two (2) years programme); or
   2. Qualification from a marine or nautical institution and relevant seagoing experience as a certified ship officer (minimum five (5) years of seagoing experience).
   3. At least five (5) years experience in areas relevant to technical or operational aspects of safety management, such as:
      1. Ship’s classification or statutory surveys; or
      2. Experience as a certified watch keeping officer; or
      3. Experience as a superintendent or ship manager.
3. Personnel performing ISM-Code verification should have undergone training to ensure adequate competence and skills, particularly with regard to:
   1. Knowledge and understanding of the ISM-Code;
   2. Mandatory rules and regulations;
   3. The terms of references which the ISM-Code requires that companies should take into account;
   4. Assessment techniques of examining, questioning, evaluating and reporting;
   5. Technical or operational aspects of safety management;
   6. Basic knowledge of shipping and shipboard operations; and
   7. Participation in at least one (1) marine-related management system audit.
4. Competence gained through attending ISM-Code course should be demonstrated through written or oral examinations, or other acceptable means.
5. Personnel who are to perform initial or renewal verifications for a Document of Compliance (DOC) or a Safety Management Certificate (SMC) must possess the competence to:
   1. Determine whether the Safety Management System elements conform or do not conform with the requirements of the ISM-Code;
   2. Determine the effectiveness of the company’s Safety Management System, or that of the ship, to ensure compliance with rules and regulations as evidenced by the statutory and classification survey records;
   3. Assess the effectiveness of the Safety Management System in ensuring compliance with other rules and regulations which are not covered by statutory and classification surveys and enabling verification of compliance with these rules and regulations; and
   4. Assess whether the safe practices recommended by the organization, administrations, and classification societies and maritime industry organizations have been taken into account.
6. Personnel who are to be in charge of initial verification or renewal verification of compliance with the requirements of the ISM-Code should have at least five (5) years experience in areas relevant to the technical or operational aspects of safety management, and should have participated in at least three (3) initial verifications or renewal verifications. Participation in verification of compliance with other management standards may be considered as equivalent to participation in verification of compliance with the ISM-Code.
7. Personnel who are to perform annual, intermediate and interim verifications should satisfy basic requirements for personnel participating in verifications and should have participated in a minimum of two (2) annual, renewal or initial verifications. They should have received special instructions needed to ensure that they possess the competence required to determine the effectiveness of the company’s safety management system.
8. Continuous updating is necessary as circumstances dictate in the knowledge, understanding and interpretation of the ISM-Code. This updating may be through in-house training, additional or refreshment courses, distant learning system using internet or other suitable recognized method.
9. ICS shall ensure that independence exists between personnel providing consultancy services and personnel performing verification of compliance with the ISM-Code before ISM-Code auditor has been approved.
10. The following documents are necessary for evaluation and approval as ISM-Code auditor:
    1. Application/Updating form ICS surveyors & one (1) color digital photo.
    2. C.V (updated details of education and objective evidence of previous working experience).
    3. Copy of the ISM-Code courses certificates.
    4. Previous documented experience in auditing the safety management system (Survey and Audit Log).
    5. Copy of tertiary/marine institution education certificates.
    6. Copy of other courses certificates linked with marine field/quality –management systems audits.
11. Others certification or relevant documents issued by other recognized body of certified auditors would be highly valued.