2020 IMDG Code Compliance Deadline Delayed

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) provided a status update on the forthcoming IMDG Code Amendment 40-20 (i.e., the 2020 Edition) this week.

IMO announced that mandatory compliance with the forthcoming IMDG Code amendment will start on June 1, 2022. 

IMO plans to release Amendment 40–20 in early 2021. The new Code may be applied voluntarily after January 1, 2021. 

Under normal conditions, Amendment 40-20 would have been published in Fall 2020. Compliance with a new IMDG Code amendment is voluntary in the first year following publication (i.e., 2021) and mandatory in the second year following publication (i.e., after January 1, 2022). 

This year, IMO’s regular meeting schedule was disrupted and delayed due to the COVID-19 public health crisis. As such, Amendment 40-20 is not yet available. Until the new edition is available, dangerous goods vessel shippers should continue to comply with the 2018 Edition IMDG Code.

IMO's announcement reads:

"In view of the exceptional circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 virus this year, and the ensuing disruption and delay caused to the IMO meeting schedule, please note that Amendment 40–20 of the IMDG Code will become mandatory from 1 June 2022 but may be applied by Administrations in whole or in part on a voluntary basis from 1 January 2021. 

Additionally...IMO publishing will continue to offer the IMDG Code on the Web subscription product, which will include Amendment 40–20, to be published in early 2021."    

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Tags: hazmat shipping, IMDG, IMO, international rules, new rules