NATIONAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE CONTAINER SAFETY CONVENTION

The international Convention for Safe Containers (CSC) entered into effect on 6 September 1977. It entered into effect before ratification by the United States, the United Kingdom or Japan, three of the world's major trading nations and before ratification by any of the developing countries. Some major trading nations had been among the original signatories, however, namely France, West Germany and the Soviet Union. A number of enforcement problems will occur as a result of this situation (see Cargo Systems February 1977). Many of these problems were discussed at the July meeting of the IMCO Subcommittee on Containers and Cargoes. One danger had been that signatories would halt new containers entering from non-signatories without safety plates. It was recognised, however, that it would be difficult during the first five years to distinguish new containers which must be plated at manufacture from existing containers which have five years to comply. Accordingly, the most significant decision of the IMCO meeting was that formal control procedures would not be enforced until the five-year transition period expires on 6 September, 1982 (safety risks will, of course, be subject to control). Although decisions of this nature are merely recommendations and non-binding, this one was particularly appropriate since the CSC convention, unlike some others, was adopted for an industry already noted for its safe operations. Indeed many had thought that no convention at all was necessary to promote safety in this industry, and much of the Convention's support stems out of a desire for uniformity of regulation. Signatories face a number of decisions, however. There are certain administrative procedures which will be necessary for all nations to plan. These will affect both those which have already ratified and those which plan to ratify. This article by Edward A Woolley, secretary of the Institute of International Container Lessors (IICL) and a practising lawyer with the New York law firm of Martin A Hoffman, is designed to assist Governments and others interested in the application of the Convention in considering how to draft these procedures.

• Corporate Authors:

  Cargo Systems Publications Limited

  115 Bedford Road
  London SW4 7RA,   England 
• Authors:
  • Woolley, E A
• Publication Date: 1977-12

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 59-63
• Serial:
  • CARGO SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL
  • Volume: 4
  • Issue Number: 12
  • Publisher: Deutsche Bahn AG

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Certification; Containers; Freight security; Legislation; Safety; Standards
• Uncontrolled Terms: Safety regulations
• Old TRIS Terms: Container certification; Container safety; Container standards
• Subject Areas: Education and Training; Freight Transportation; Law; Marine Transportation; Safety and Human Factors; Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00170708
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Cargo Systems International
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 7 1978 12:00AM