Sub-Committee PPR-10: Measures for hazardous chemicals at sea

The IMO Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR 10), 24-28 April 2023, discussed measures to prevent hazardous chemicals from entering the marine environment. These materials include Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS) and cleaning additives.

Operational Guide on the Response to Spills of Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS)

The Sub-committee agreed the final draft of the Operational Guide on the Response to Spills of Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS), for submission to MEPC 80, with a view to approval and subsequent publication. The guidance is for first responders and decision-makers in preparation for and during a maritime incident at sea or in port, when such an incident involves HNS.

Inventory of Hazardous Materials – revision of guidelines approved

The Sub-Committee approved the revised 2023 Guidelines for the development of the Inventory of Hazardous Materials, following amendments to the Anti-Fouling Systems (AFS) Convention to include controls on cybutryne. The 2023 Guidelines will be submitted to MEPC 80 for adoption.

Evaluation of products

The Sub-Committee agreed with the completed evaluation of products and of cleaning additives as carried out by the ESPH Technical Group.

The Sub-Committee noted that 19 tripartite agreements were due to expire in December 2023 and would be deleted from the next edition of the MEPC.2/Circular (MEPC.2/Circ.29, due to be issued on 1 December 2023) if evaluation requests are not submitted to ESPH 29 – or if the information submitted is not sufficient for ESPH 29 to evaluate the corresponding products. Consequently, the Sub-Committee invited Member Governments to take action as appropriate to avoid any delay in the carriage of these products beyond their expiry dates.

Chemicals to be transported in bulk must be listed in Chapter 17 or 18 (or chapter 19) of the IBC Code or contained in the  Provisional Categorization of Liquid Substances in accordance with MARPOL Annex II and the IBC Code (MEPC.2/Circular), which sets out the carriage requirements under which it may be transported. 