The Merchant Shipping (International Safety Management (ISM) Code) Regulations 1998

Issue of Document of Compliance and Safety Management Certificate

9.—(1) If the Secretary of State is satisfied that a company operating United Kingdom ships complies with the requirements of the ISM Code he may issue it with a Document of Compliance valid for a period not exceeding five years.

(2) If the Secretary of State is satisfied that a ship is operated by a company to which he has issued a Document of Compliance and that the company and its shipboard management operate in accordance with the safety management system he has approved, he shall issue in respect of that ship a Safety Management Certificate valid for a period not exceeding five years.

(3) Where a company operating ships which are registered in more than one country, but at least one of which is registered in the United Kingdom, complies with the requirements of the ISM Code the Secretary of State may accept a Document of Compliance issued by the government of one of those countries to which SOLAS applies, if prior to the issue of that document he has agreed to accept it. Conditions for acceptance may include completion of a satisfactory audit of the company by an authorised person.

(4) Where a company newly registers a ship in the United Kingdom, the Secretary of State may accept a Document of Compliance issued by the government of a country to which SOLAS applies in which ships operated by the company are registered. Conditions for acceptance may include completion of a satisfactory audit by an authorised person.

(5) If the Secretary of State is satisfied that a United Kingdom ship is operated by a company which has a Document of Compliance accepted by the Secretary of State under paragraph (3) or (4) above and that its shipboard management operates in accordance with a safety management system which complies with the ISM Code he shall issue in respect of that ship a Safety Management Certificate valid for a period not exceeding five years.