CTI to be granted Asbestos surveillance accreditation onmarine vessels
The Centre Testing International (CTI) Corporation, based in Shanghai is the first organisation to be granted United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accreditation to ISO/IEC 17020: 1998 for asbestos surveying on marine vessels in compliance with the International Marine Organisation (IMO).
Following the 2009 Amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, the IMO Hong Kong Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships and subsequent IMO circulars, the installation of asbestos products into new vessels has been banned since 1 January 2011. Asbestos (and other hazardous products) detected on board the existing ship must now be listed within an ‘Inventory of Hazardous Materials’ to enable a safe environment for crew, passengers and visitors.
Rob Bettinson, Divisional Director, Technical said. “UKAS has been assessing inspection bodies undertaking asbestos surveying in buildings for a number of years. Whilst the IMO resolution contains guidance on how asbestos inspection in marine vessels should be planned and the materials assessed, there is little other detailed information on how the surveying should actually take place and what is expected of the organisation undertaking such work. Given that the remit for this new area of accreditation was unique, the scope of assessment was suitably tailored to address the specific issues associated with asbestos surveying of marine vessels. The UKAS accredited asbestos surveying of marine vessels now sets a new benchmark standard for the shipping industry.”
UKAS accreditation determines the competence of staff, the validity and suitability of methods, the appropriateness of equipment and facilities and the on-going assurance through internal quality control. Assessments on vessels include those at initial (pre-build), verification (post-build) and whilst in-service, with management recommendations where appropriate.
