Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM) survey

Hazardous material is any substance that can pose a risk to the health and safety of people or to the environment as identified and listed by the Hong Kong Convention (2009) & EU Regulation 1257/2013.

Inventory of Hazardous Material (IHM) is a document in which all potentially hazardous materials on board a vessel are identified, located and quantified and follows IMO Resolution MEPC.269 (68) guidelines.

Legal Basis

IMO: “Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships” (SR CONF 45)

  • Adopted in 2009, has not entered into force yet but is required for “non-EU flagged” ships when visiting an EU-Port from end of 2020 onwards
  • IHMs are to be developed according to “2015 Guidelines for the Development of IHM” (Res. MEPC.269(68)) = “IMO-IHM”

EU-Ship Recycling Regulation

  • Entered into force in 2013, various application dates
  • “EMSA´s Best Practice Guidance for Development of IHM”
  • All EU-flagged ships need to have a certified IHM from end of 2020 onwards = “EU-IHM”
  • In case of change to EU-flag an “EU-IHM” is required within 6 months
  • EU accepts “IMO-IHMs” from non EU-flagged ships when visiting EU-ports from end of 2020 onwards

Key Guidelines

  • 2011 Guidelines for Development of Ship Recycling Plan (Res. MEPC.196(62))
  • 2015 Guidelines for the Development of IHM (Res. MEPC.269(68))
  • 2012 Guidelines for Safe and environmentally Sound Ship Recycling (Res. MEPC.210(63))

EMSA´s Best Practice Guidance for Development of IHM

  • EU accepts “IMO-IHMs” from non EU-flagged ships when visiting EU-ports from end of 2020 onwards
  • In case of change to EU-flag an “EU-IHM” is required