IACS Press Release - 14 Oct 2009

European Commission closes competition investigation - Role of Classification Societies in maritime safety reinforced

(London, 14 October 2009): The International Association of Classification Societies welcomes the decision by the European Commission to bring its investigation to an end without any finding of infringement of competition law.

Dr Hermann Klein, the Chairman of IACS, called the decision a boost to IACS' credibility as the main technical advisor to the shipping industry and the IMO: "We can continue to make an essential contribution in maintaining an effective global regime for enhancing safety in the shipping industry." By establishing technical rules and supervising their implementation, classification societies contribute to the protection of safety of life at sea and the maritime environment.

"Today's closure of the Commission investigation without finding any possible infringement of competition law by IACS and its members is an excellent outcome for the maritime industry. The reputation of classification societies as independent third party organisations respecting law and order had been reinforced", he added.

IACS and its members have worked with the Commission throughout the investigation in a spirit of constructive cooperation by providing information and explanations on how the relationship between IACS members has been organized. And it offered information on its procedures in technical working groups.

In the course of the investigation, IACS offered to establish more qualitative membership criteria and guidance for their transparent application and the institution of an independent appeal board. In addition, IACS will offer the opportunity to participate in its technical work to non-member classification societies and will continue to ensure that all current and future IACS' resolutions and technical background documents are put into the public domain.

IACS