Waste Assessment Guidelines under the London Convention and Protocol (2021 Edition) (KB531E)

This 2021 edition of the Waste Assessment Guidelines under the London Convention and Protocol presents updated guidance to facilitate the implementation of the London Convention and London Protocol, including Revised specific guidelines for the assessment of vessels and Revised specific guidelines for assessment of platforms or other man-made structures at sea. It also provides a list of additional guidance documents developed by the Contracting Parties, to further assist new and prospective Parties in the implementation of the treaties.

Foreword

Since 1997, the governing bodies of the London Convention and its Protocol have adopted a series of guidance documents to facilitate the process of assessment of waste and other matter in accordance with the two treaties. These guidance documents were initially published in the 2006 title, Guidelines on the Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter, 1972.

Over the years, these guidelines have been under continual review, taking into account recent developments and experiences gathered by Contracting Parties. This 2021 edition includes revised Specific Guidelines approved by the governing bodies for the assessment of vessels and for the assessment of platforms or other man-made structures at sea. A list of additional guidance documents that may be of interest to the reader can be found in the annex of this publication.

Foreword

Introduction

Generic waste assessment guidelines

Dredged material assessment guidelines

Sewage sludge assessment guidelines

Fish waste assessment guidelines

Vessel assessment guidelines

Platforms and structures assessment guidelines

Inert, inorganic geological material assessment guidelines

Organic material of natural origin assessment guidelines

Bulky items assessment guidelines

Carbon dioxide streams assessment guidelines

Annex: Additional guidance documents

As a specialized agency of the United Nations, IMO is the global standard-setting authority for the safety, security and environmental performance of international shipping. Its main role is to create a regulatory framework for the shipping industry that is fair and effective, universally adopted and universally implemented.

In other words, its role is to create a level playing-field so that ship operators cannot address their financial issues by simply cutting corners and compromising on safety, security and environmental performance. This approach also encourages innovation and efficiency.

Shipping is a truly international industry, and it can only operate effectively if the regulations and standards are themselves agreed, adopted and implemented on an international basis. And IMO is the forum at which this process takes place.