Authorized classification societies

For ships registered under the RIF, authorized classification societies (SCH in French) act under two status.

Ship classification

The authorized classification society verifies the ship compliance with its own regulations. Compliance is evidenced by the issuance of classification certificates.

For the record, the decree of August 30, 1984 sets that any new or foreign-acquired ship with a reference length of 24 meters or above shall hold the first class notation from an authorized classification society corresponding to its operation. And this ship shall remain compliant to the class conditions set for this first class notation.

Delegation by the flag authority

The authorized classification society may intervene under the delegation granted by the flag authority.

For example, this may be the case for the freeboard survey, which reviews the structure strength, stability and conditions for the assignment and issuance of the international tonnage certificate.

Recognition

The authorized classification societies shall be recognised by the French maritime authority to act on its behalf. To date, 6 societies are recognised:

  • Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore SAS
  • DNV-GL AS
  • RINA Services s.p.a
  • Lloyd’s Register EMEA
  • Korean Register of Shipping
  • American Bureau of shipping

Authorized classification societies charge for their services, paid by the shipowner.

Current directives

Directive RO-016: warning on Zhenjiang DH Marine winches and DW34F winches pdf - 385.7 KiB

Directive RO-001: Modification of Gepa-Fiberglass free-fall lifeboats and release systems pdf - 225.5 KiB

Directive RO-002: Tonnage adjustment of fishing vessels pdf - 96.6 KiB

Directive RO-003: Entering IMO DCS data in GISIS pdf - 103.8 KiB

Directive RO-004: EGCS approval and fuel use pdf - 335.5 KiB

Directive RO-005: Approval of authorized service providers for the periodic overhaul and maintenance of liferafts pdf - 834.9 KiB

Directive RO-006: Procedures for ship certification under the state of health emergency linked to the COVID-19 coronavirus epidemic pdf - 349.6 KiB

Directive RO-007: Extension of delegation - Transfer of administrative files pdf - 584 KiB

Directive RO-008: Commissioning tests for ballast treatment systems pdf - 417.2 KiB

Directive RO-011: HMI directive - srr COVID pdf - 257.8 KiB

FAQ_IHM pdf - 314.9 KiB

Guidelines on HMI implementation - Covid19 pdf - 520.8 KiB

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