Legislation and Regulatory Affairs

IMCA is active world-wide and at a regional and national level in representing its members to governments and regulatory bodies, lobbying for fair, workable and effective regulations and monitoring and reporting on developments for its members.

By putting forward industry submissions based on its members' combined expertise in global marine operations, IMCA demonstrates successful self-regulation at many levels, helps minimise unnecessary variation in requirements and can provide feedback both on new proposals and on implementation and experience. This expertise has long been recognised by regulators around the world who turn to IMCA as a trusted data source when formulating regulations for the marine contracting industry.

An important part of this work is representation on a number of joint government-industry committees and other relevant bodies. Not least of these is holding observer status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO). IMCA also participates in joint work with other relevant trade associations in areas of common interest.

A few examples of issues where IMCA has worked for and with its members include:

• Australia - issues relating to implementation of the National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA)
• Brazil - involvement by invitation in the regulatory review which took place following sinking of the P-36
• EU - maintaining a watching briefing on working time issues and working with other assocations to brief and lobby
• Netherlands - briefing on new regulations and work with the diving certification body on recognition arrangements
• Norway - working with regulators and OLF, the national oil industry association, on long-term health monitoring
• UK - development of guidance with the IADC North Sea Chapter on safe transfer of personnel by basket
• USA - dialogue with the US Coast Guard and its National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee

A selection of links to key regulators for the offshore sector can be found in our Links Directory.