1. Reason for revision

The purpose of the revision is to improve the operating guidelines necessary for the efficient operation of the certification system for environment-friendly ships and all the regulations necessary for the operation of the national certification system, including expansion of the scope of environment-friendly equipment subject to certification. 

2. Main contents

a. Purpose of the guidelines (Article 1 of the Draft)

The purpose of the proposed revision is to define the purpose of the Guidelines and to add provisions that are delegated to the Guidelines by the Act on the Promotion of the Development and Supply of Environment-friendly Ships and the Rules on the Standards and Certification of Environment-friendly Ships.

b. Definition of terms (Article 2, Appendix 1 of the Draft)

In order to clarify their meanings, the revision defines the terms necessary for the operation of the certification system, such as environment-friendly ships, environment-friendly equipment, certification applicants, and certification agencies.

c. Detailed review criteria (Article 3, Appendix 2 of the Draft)

The revision defines the detailed review criteria necessary for the certification of environment-friendly ships, equipment and supplies in order to facilitate the operation of the certification system.

d. Certification grades, etc. (Article 4, Appendices 3 and 4 of the Draft)

The revision serves to clarify the certification grades and certification standards by defining the certification grades of environment-friendly ships and the certification standards of environment-friendly equipment under its Appendices 3 and 4.

e. It proposes certification standards for environment-friendly equipment (Article 5, Attachment: Form No. 1 of the Draft).

It proposes a provision that allows the Certification Advisory Committee to review any new certification standards that are proposed by a manufacturer or importer of environment-friendly equipment, and which are not defined in Appendix 4.

f. Application for certification (Article 6 of the Draft)

It clarifies the documents which an applicant for certification must submit to a certification body for the certification of environment-friendly equipment. 

g. Examination and evaluation for certification (Article 7 of the Draft)

It clarifies the methods and criteria by which certification bodies should examine and evaluate environment-friendly ships, equipment after receiving the certification application documents.

h, Re-issuance of certificates, etc. (Article 8 of the Draft)

It introduces a new provision that allows those who have previously been issued a certificate to request the certification body to reissue a certificate due to loss or damage, or due to a change of contents other than the certification matters.

i. Return of certification application (Article 9 of the Draft)

It clarifies the cases in which the head of the certification body may return the documents to the applicant, including those cases in which the technology indicated on the application documents are not applied to the ship.

j. Confirmation of certification maintenance (Article 10 of the Draft)

It clarifies the necessary documents and methods to be submitted so that the head of a certification body may verify that a ship or equipment certified as environment-friendly is being maintained and managed in accordance with the certified contents.

k. Methods of re-evaluation, etc. (Article 11 of the Draft)

It clarifies the procedures by which applicants may file an objection to the result of a certification or evaluation, or a decision to revoke a certification, including those for submitting documents, and the methods of re-evaluation, thereby allowing applicants for certification to request re-evaluation in the event that they disagree with certification-related decisions.

l. Organization of the certification advisory committee (Article 12 of the Draft)

It clarifies details such as the functions and composition of the members of the certification advisory committee so as to enable the head of the certification body to organize and operate a certification advisory committee necessary for the operation of the certification system, including review of the proposed certification standards for environment-friendly equipment.

m. Qualifications and allowances for certification advisory committee members (Articles 13 and 15 of the Draft)

The proposed revision clearly defines the qualifications of the members of the certification advisory committee so that those with expertise may provide advice on matters pertaining to certification, such as senior or higher researchers who have at least five years of the relevant research experience, while allowing adequate allowances to be paid to them.

n. Guidelines to be followed by certification advisory committee members (Article 14 of the Draft)

It defines the matters with which the certification advisory committee members should comply, including the maintenance of confidentiality related to certification reviews and evaluations.

o. Use of certification marks (Article 16, Appendix 5 of the Draft)

It defines the relevant certification marks so that those who have received certification as an environment-friendly ships or environment-friendly equipment may use certification marks to promote the ship or equipment.

r. Internal operational guidelines, etc. of certification bodies (Article 17 of the Draft)

It clarifies the provisions allowing the head of a certification body to establish operational guidelines for the effective performance of certification services.

s. Review period (Article 18 of the Draft)

It prescribes that the feasibility of this Notice be reviewed for improvement and improved every three years as of January 1, 2024.