Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union at the International Maritime Organization during the 93rd session of the Maritime Safety Committee on the adoption of amendments to SOLAS Regulations II-2/1, 2/3, 2/9.7, 2/13.4, 2/18, 2/20-1, 2/29, chapter III, the Life Saving Appliances Code and the 2011 Enhanced Survey Programme Code
Date: 2014-04-01
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: International Maritime Organisation, fire, maritime safety, protective equipment, shipbuilding, vessel













EUR-Lex - 52014PC0208 - EN











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52014PC0208

Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION on the position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union at the International Maritime Organization during the 93rd session of the Maritime Safety Committee on the adoption of amendments to SOLAS Regulations II-2/1, 2/3, 2/9.7, 2/13.4, 2/18, 2/20-1, 2/29, chapter III, the Life Saving Appliances Code and the 2011 Enhanced Survey Programme Code /* COM/2014/0208 final - 2014/0119 (NLE) */









EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
1.           INTRODUCTION
The present Commission proposal concerns
the establishment of the Union position in the 93rd session of the
IMO's Maritime Safety Committee in relation to the seven amendments set out individually
in the following sub-headings: 
1.1.        Amendments to SOLAS
regulations II-2/3 and II-2/9.7 concerning fire resistance of ventilation ducts
for new ships
These amendments to Chapter II-2 of the SOLAS
Convention introduce new requirements for ventilation systems in ships. They also
aim to clarify the requirements for fitting fire and smoke dampers and for
remotely controlled fire dampers. In addition new definitions for fire damper
and smoke damper have been added.
These changes are set out in Annex 13 in MSC
92/26/Add.1. Para 8.6 of the MSC 92 report (MSC 92/26) indicates that these
amendments will be adopted at MSC 93.
1.2.        Amendments to SOLAS
regulation II-2/13.4 concerning additional means of escape from machinery
spaces for new passenger and cargo ships
Chapter II-2 of the SOLAS Convention contains
requirements for means of escape in case of fire. These amendments to the SOLAS
requirements aim to ensure that ladders and stairways with open treads in
machinery spaces which are part of an escape route and not located in a protected
enclosure shall be made of steel. Furthermore, requirements for the escape
routes from workshops in machinery spaces are introduced.
These changes are set out in Annex 13 in MSC
92/26/Add.1. Para 8.17 of the MSC 92 report (MSC 92/26) indicates that these
amendments will be adopted at MSC 93.
1.3.        Amendments to SOLAS
regulation II-2/18 concerning helicopter landing areas on ro-ro passenger ships
for new ships 
Chapter II-2 of the SOLAS Convention contains
requirements for helicopter facilities. These amendments to the SOLAS
Convention aim to introduce IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1431 – Guidelines for the
approval of helicopter facility foam fire-fighting appliances - from 22 June
2012. The foam application system is thus required to be in accordance with these
guidelines.
These changes are set out in Annex 13 in MSC
92/26/Add.1. Para 8.30 of the MSC 92 report (MSC 92/26) indicates that these
amendments will be adopted at MSC 93.
1.4.        Amendments to SOLAS
chapter III and associated requirements for periodic servicing and maintenance
of lifeboats and rescue boats for all ships
Chapter III of the SOLAS Convention contains
requirements for life saving appliances. These amendments to the SOLAS
Convention aim to make the requirements for periodic servicing and maintenance
of lifeboats and rescue boats mandatory.
These changes are set out in Annex 31 in MSC
92/26/Add.2. Para 13.16 of the MSC 92 report (MSC 92/26) indicates that these
amendments will be adopted at MSC 93.
1.5.        Amendments to the
Life-Saving Appliances (LSA) Code concerning lifejackets Reference Test Devices
(RTDs) - with associated Revised Recommendations on testing of life-saving
appliances and Guidelines for validating the construction of a completed adult
reference test device
The IMO Life Saving Appliances (LSA) Code
contains requirements for life saving appliances. These amendments to the LSA
Code introduce new requirements for lifejacket Reference Test Devices. 
These changes are set out in Annex 34 in MSC
92/26/Add.2. Para 13.27.1 of the MSC 92 report (MSC 92/26) indicates that these
amendments will be adopted at MSC 93.
1.6.        Amendments to SOLAS
regulation II-1/29 concerning requirements for steering gear trials
Chapter II-1 of the SOLAS Convention contains
requirements for steering gear and sets out the means by which compliance may
be demonstrated. These amendments to SOLAS provide an alternative means of
demonstrating compliance, where it is impracticable to do so by sea trials with
the ship at its deepest seagoing draught. . 
These changes are set out in Annex 35 in MSC
92/26/Add.2. Para 13.29 of the MSC 92 report (MSC 92/26) indicates that these
amendments will be adopted at MSC 93.
1.7.        Amendments to the 2011
Enhanced Survey Programme (ESP) Code, mainly to bring this in line with
practices of the classification societies/Recognized Organizations.
The Condition Assessment Scheme (CAS) sets out
the framework for an intensified inspection of older ships. The enhanced
Programme of Inspections during surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil Tankers or
Enhanced Survey Programme (ESP) specifies how to undertake such an intensified
inspection. As the CAS uses the ESP to achieve its aim, the CAS refers to the ESP
as a tool to do so. These amendments to the ESP Code aim to bring the ESP in
line with current practices. 
These changes are set out in Annex 36 in MSC
92/26/Add.2. Para 13.33 of the MSC 92 report (MSC 92/26) indicates that these
amendments will be adopted at MSC 93.
2.           ADOPTION OF THE IMO
AMENDMENTS
2.1.        Adoption of amendments to
SOLAS Regulations II-2/1, 2/3, 2/9.7, 2/13.4, 2/18, 2/20-1, 2/29, chapter III,
the Life Saving Appliances Code and the 2011 Enhanced Survey Programme Code
These amendments were approved at the 92nd
session of the Maritime Safety Committee meeting between 12-21 June 2013 and
are to be submitted for adoption to the 93rd session of that
Committee meeting between 14-23 May 2014.
2.2.        Acceptance and entry into
force. 
Once approved and adopted by this Committee,
the above amendments will be submitted to the respective contracting parties in
order for these to express their consent to be bound by the said amendments.
3.           RELEVANT EU LEGISLATION
AND EU COMPETENCE
3.1.        Amendments to SOLAS
regulations II-2/3 and II-2/9.7 concerning fire resistance of ventilation ducts
for new ships
The Union already enacted through Chapter II-2
of Annex 1 of Directive 2009/45/EC[1]
on safety rules and standards for passenger ships requirements on fire
protection, detection and extinction. Regulation 12 of part A of this Chapter
provides for specific requirements for ventilation ducts, which are derived
from the same SOLAS provisions which are now expected to be amended. Moreover,
Regulation 9 of Chapter II-2, part B, of the above mentioned Annex sets out comprehensive
and detailed requirements concerning construction materials to be used for
ventilation ducts within different parts of the passenger ship depending on its
class.  These amendments to SOLAS Chapter II-2, part C, Regulation 9, replace
the entire paragraph 7 on ventilation systems, covering both the definition and
testing for duct penetrations, including special arrangements for passenger
ships carrying more than 36 passengers.
As a result, the requirements provided in
Directive 2009/45/EC on ventilation ducts would need to be revised would the
above amendments be adopted. This concerns, for example, the duct penetration
provisions in the Directive's Chapter II-2 of Annex 1, Part A, Regulation 12,
and the ventilation systems for ships carrying more than 36 passengers in Part
B, Regulation 9. 
Therefore, the amendments to SOLAS to be
adopted may affect the requirements provided in Directive 2009/45/EC on
ventilation ducts. 
3.2.        Amendments to SOLAS
regulation II-2/13.4 concerning additional means of escape from machinery
spaces for new passenger and cargo ships
The Union already enacted through Chapter II-2
of Annex 1 of Directive 2009/45/EC requirements on the means of escape from
machinery spaces for passenger ships, in particular Regulation 6 of Part B
(Fire Safety Measures) of this chapter, which are derived from the same SOLAS
provisions which are now expected to be amended. 
As a result, the requirements provided in
Directive 2009/45/EC on means of escape, would need to be revised would the
above mentioned amendments be adopted, taking into account the specific
provisions applicable for the bulkhead deck and on escape from machinery
control rooms.
Therefore, the amendments to SOLAS to be adopted
may affect the requirements provided in Directive 2009/45/EC on means for
escape from machinery spaces for new passenger ships . 
3.3.        Amendments to SOLAS regulation II-2/18 concerning helicopter landing areas on
ro-ro passenger ships for new ships 
The Union already enacted through Chapter II-2
of Annex 1 of Directive 2009/45/EC requirements on the provision of helicopter
landing areas. In particular, Regulation 18, Part B of this chapter provides that
"ships equipped with helidecks shall comply with the requirements of
Regulation 18 of Part G of the SOLAS Chapter II-2, as revised per 1 January
2003". These requirements are now expected to be amended.
As a result, the requirements provided in
Directive 2009/45/EC on helicopter landing areas on ro-ro passenger ships for
new ships would need to be revised would the above mentioned amendments be
adopted.
Therefore, the amendments to SOLAS to be
adopted may affect the requirements provided in Directive 2009/45/EC on
helicopter landing areas, by framing any revisions of such rules. 
3.4.        Amendments to SOLAS
chapter III and associated requirements for periodic servicing and maintenance
of lifeboats and rescue boats for all ship
The Union already enacted through Regulation 12
of Chapter III of Annex 1 of Directive 2009/45/EC on safety rules and standards
for passenger ships requirements on the operational readiness, maintenance and
inspection of life-saving appliances. Regulation 12.2 provides that that "maintenance
and inspections of life-saving appliances shall be carried out in accordance
with the requirements of SOLAS Regulation III/20." Thus the Directive
requires compliance with the relevant SOLAS provisions which are now expected
to be amended and any change will have a direct effect on EU law.
Therefore, the proposed amendment of the
relevant SOLAS provisions will affect the requirements laid down in Directive
2009/45/EC on the operational readiness, maintenance and inspection of
life-saving appliances.
3.5.        Amendments to the
Life-Saving Appliances (LSA) Code concerning lifejackets Reference Test Devices
(RTDs) - with associated Revised Recommendations on testing of life-saving appliances and Guidelines for validating the
construction of a completed adult reference test device
The Union already enacted through Chapter III
of Annex 1 of Directive 2009/45/EC on safety rules and standards for passenger
ships contains requirements on personal life saving appliances. In particular, Regulation
2.2 of this chapter indicates that all such appliances "shall comply
with…the LSA Code". 
In addition, Article 5(1) of Directive 96/98/EC[2] on marine equipment provides
that "Equipment listed in Annex A.1 that is placed on board a Community
ship …shall meet the applicable requirements of the international instruments
referred to in that Annex". In point A.1.1.4 in the table in Annex
A.1, the applicable standard for life jackets is IMO Resolution MSC 48(66) (the
LSA Code) and the applicable testing standards are those stipulated in IMO
Resolution A.689(17) as amended. 
Thus both Directives require compliance with
the SOLAS provisions which are now expected to be amended and any change of these
rules will have a direct effect on EU law.
Therefore, the proposed amendments to the LSA
Code will affect the requirements laid down Directive 2009/45/EC and Directive
96/98/EC.
3.6.        Amendments to SOLAS
regulation II-1/29 concerning requirements for steering gear trials
The Union already enacted through Regulations 6
and 7 of Chapter II-1, Part C of Annex 1 of Directive 2009/45/EC requirements
for steering gear trials, which are derived from and replicate the same provisions
of SOLAS which are now expected to be amended. 
As a result, the requirements of Directive
2009/45/EC on main and auxiliary steering gear would need to be revised would
the above mentioned amendments be adopted, taking into account the new SOLAS
provisions.
Therefore, the amendments to SOLAS to be
adopted may affect the requirements provided in Directive 2009/45/EC. 
3.7.        Amendments to the 2011
Enhanced Survey Programme (ESP) Code, mainly to bring this in line with
practices of the classification societies/Recognised Organisations.
Regulation (EU) No 530/2012[3] on the accelerated
phasing-in of double hull or equivalent design requirements for single-hull oil
tankers aims to establish an accelerated phasing-in
scheme for the application of the double-hull or equivalent design requirements
of MARPOL 73/78, as defined in Article 3 of this Regulation, to single-hull oil
tankers, and to ban the transport to or from ports of the Member States of
heavy grade oil in single-hull oil tankers.
This Regulation makes mandatory the application
of the IMO's Condition Assessment Scheme (CAS) to single hull oil tankers above
15 years of age. Article 5 requires such tankers to comply with the CAS, which
is then defined in Article 6 as the Condition Assessment Scheme adopted by
Resolution MEPC 94(46) of 27 April 2001 as amended by Resolution MEPC 99(48) of
11 October 2002 and by Resolution MEPC 112(50) of 4 December 2003. The Enhanced
Programme of Inspections during surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil tankers or
Enhanced Survey Programme (ESP) specifies how to undertake this intensified
assessment. As CAS uses ESP as the tool to achieve its aim, any changes to the
ESP inspections will be directly and automatically be applicable through
Regulation (EU) No 530/2012. 
Therefore, the amendments due to be adopted at
MSC 93, which would introduce changes to the ESP Code, would affect EU law,
through the application of Regulation (EU) No 530/2012.
3.8.        Summary
In view of the relevant EU legislation above,
the Commission considers that the adoption of the seven above-cited amendments
expected to be adopted at MSC 93 comes under EU exclusive competence, which the
Union has acquired pursuant to Article 3(2) TFEU, in so far as the adoption of
the international instruments at stake may affect common rules or alter their
scope. 
Consistent with a well consolidated body of
case law, even if the Union is not a member of IMO, the Member States are not
authorised to assume obligations likely to affect EU rules promulgated for the
attainment of the objectives of the Treaties, unless they are authorised to do
so by means of a Council decision, on a proposal by the Commission 
4.           CONCLUSION
The Commission therefore proposes a Council
Decision on the position to be adopted on behalf of the European Union for the amendments
cited in paras 1.1 to 1.7 above to be adopted at the 93rd session of
the Maritime Safety Committee respectively.    
2014/0119 (NLE)
Proposal for a
COUNCIL DECISION
on the position to be adopted on behalf of
the European Union at the International Maritime Organization during the 93rd
session of the Maritime Safety Committee on the adoption of amendments to SOLAS
Regulations II-2/1, 2/3, 2/9.7, 2/13.4, 2/18, 2/20-1, 2/29, chapter III, the
Life Saving Appliances Code and the 2011 Enhanced Survey Programme Code
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the
Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 100(2) and Article
218(9) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the
European Commission,
Whereas:
(1)       Action by the European
Union in the sector of maritime transport should aim to improve maritime safety.
(2)       The IMO Maritime Safety
Committee (MSC) meeting at its 92nd session approved amendments to SOLAS
Regulations II-2/1, 2/3. 2/9.7, 2/13.4, 2/18, 2/20-1, 2/29, Chapter III, the
Life Saving Appliances Code and the 2011 Enhanced Survey Programme Code. Those
amendments are expected to be adopted in the 93rd session of the
MSC, to be held in May 2014.
(3)       The amendments to the SOLAS
regulations II-2/3 and II-2/9.7 concerning fire resistance of ventilation ducts
for new ships will introduce new requirements for ventilation systems in ships,
including for passenger ship carrying more than 36 passengers. The provisions
of Regulation 12, Part A and of Regulation 9, Part B of Chapter II-2 of Annex 1
of Directive 2009/45/EC[4]
on safety rules and standards for passenger ships on ventilation duct
penetration provisions and on ventilation systems for ships carrying more than
36 passengers cover these issues and are derived from these SOLAS provisions
which are now expected to be amended.
(4)       The amendments to SOLAS Regulation
II-2/13.4 will introduce additional means of escape from machinery spaces for
new passenger and cargo ships. The provisions of Regulation 6, Part B, Chapter
II-2 of Annex 1 of Directive 2009/45/EC (Means of escape) covers these issues
and are derived from the SOLAS provisions which are now expected to be amended.
(5)       The amendments to SOLAS Regulation
II-2/18 concerning helicopter landing areas on ro-ro passenger ships for new ships
will include a requirement for fire-fighting foam application systems to be in
accordance with  IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1431 of 22 June 2012 on Guidelines for
the approval of helicopter facility foam fire-fighting appliances. Regulation
18, Part B, Chapter II-2 of Annex 1 of Directive 2009/45/EC provides that ships
equipped with helidecks shall comply with the requirements of the SOLAS
regulation as revised per 1 January 2003 which are now expected to be amended.
(6)       The amendments to SOLAS Chapter
III, Regulation 20 and associated requirements for periodic servicing and
maintenance of lifeboats and rescue boats for all ships aim to make these detailed
requirements mandatory. Chapter III of Annex 1 of Directive 2009/45/EC provides
that maintenance and inspections of life-saving appliances shall be carried out
in accordance with the same requirements of SOLAS Regulation III/20, which are
now expected to be amended. 
(7)       The amendments to the
Life-Saving Appliances (LSA) Code concerning lifejackets Reference Test Devices
(RTDs) will introduce new requirements for RTDs. Regulation 2.2, Chapter III of
Directive 2009/45/EC indicates that all such personal life-saving appliances
comply with the LSA Code. In addition, Article 5(1) of Directive 96/98/EC[5] on marine equipment
stipulates that equipment listed in its Annex A.1 placed on board a Community
ship meet the applicable requirements of the international instruments referred
to in that Annex. In the table in Annex A.1, entry A.1.1.4, the applicable
standard for life jackets is IMO Resolution MSC 48(66) – the LSA Code, which is
now expected to be amended. 
(8)       The amendments to SOLAS
regulation II-1/29 concerning requirements for steering gear trials will
introduce further requirements to demonstrate compliance during sea trials. Regulations
6 and 7, Part C, Chapter II-1of Annex 1 of Directive 2009/45/EC are derived
from and replicate the same provisions of SOLAS in Chapter II-1, Part C
Regulation 29 on requirements for the main and auxiliary steering gear which are
now expected to be amended. 
(9)       The amendments to the 2011
Enhanced Survey Programme (ESP) Code bring it into line with the practices of
classification societies. Articles 5 and 6 of Regulation (EU) No 530/2012[6] on the accelerated
phasing-in of double hull or equivalent design requirements for single-hull oil
tankers make mandatory the application of the IMO's Condition Assessment Scheme
(CAS) to single hull oil tankers above 15 years of age. The Enhanced Programme
of Inspections during surveys of Bulk Carriers and Oil tankers or Enhanced
Survey Programme (ESP) specifies how to undertake this intensified assessment.
As CAS uses ESP as the tool to achieve its aim, any changes to the ESP
inspections will automatically be applicable through Regulation (EU) No
530/2012. 
(10)     The Union is neither a
member of the IMO nor a contracting party to the conventions and codes
concerned. It is therefore necessary for the Council to authorise the Member States
to express the position of the Union and express their consent to be bound by
these amendments.
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: 
Article 1
1.           The position of the Union
at the 93rd session of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee shall be to agree to
the adoption of the amendments to SOLAS Regulations II-2/3, 2/9.7, 2/13.4 and
2/18 as laid down in Annex 13 of the IMO document MSC 92/26.Add.1, and to the
adoption of the amendments to SOLAS Regulations II-2/20-1, 2/29, chapter III
and the Life Saving Appliances Code and the 2011 Enhanced Survey Programme Code
as laid down in Annexes 31, 34, 35 and 36 respectively of the IMO document MSC
92/26/Add.2.
2.           The position of the Union
as set out in paragraph 1 shall be expressed by the Member States, which are
members of IMO, acting jointly in the interest of the Union.
3.           Formal and minor changes to
this position may be agreed without requiring that position to be amended.
Article 2
Member States are hereby authorised to give
their consent to be bound, in the interest of the Union, by the amendments
referred to in Article 1(2).
Article 3
This Decision is addressed to the Member
States.
Done at Brussels,
                                                                       For
the Council
                                                                       The
President
[1]               OJ L 163, 25.6.2009, p.1
[2]               OJ L 46, 17.2.97, p.25
[3]               OJ L 172, 30.6.2012, p.3
[4]               OJ L 163, 25.6.2009, p.1
[5]               OJ L 46, 17.2.97, p.25
[6]               OJ L 172, 30.6.2012, p.3