Certification and Testing of Ballast Water Management Systems?

1. The manufacturer of the equipment should submit information regarding the design, construction, operation and functioning of the ballast water management system. This information should be the basis for a first evaluation of suitability by the Administration.
2. The ballast water management system should be tested for type approval; the testing body performing the tests should have implemented appropriate quality control measures acceptable to the Administration.
3. The electrical and electronic section of ballast water management systems should be subjected to the programme of environmental tests set out in Guidelines (G8) at a laboratory approved for the purpose by the Administration.
4. Successful fulfilment of the requirements and procedures for type approval should lead to the issuance of a Type Approval Certificate by the Administration.
5. When a type approved ballast water management system is installed on board, an installation survey should be carried out.


It should be noted that type approval testing includes both shipboard testing and land-based testing. It is the Administration who decides the sequence of land-based testing and shipboard testing.