BWMS – Approval procedure

The BSH may approve a Ballast Water Management System (BWMS) in Germany for installation on board ships if the system fully complies with the IMO requirements for approval of a BWMS. The BSH then issues a Type Approval for the system. If Active substances are used, type approval is only possible if basic and final approval have been granted.

Basic requirements for a BWMS

As part of the approval procedure, the manufacturer needs to:

  • Demonstrate the biological efficacy of the system through extensive landbased tests in accordance with the requirements of the BWMS Code (formerly Guidelines for the Approval of Ballast Water Management Systems - G8). The compliance with the D-2 standard of the Ballast Water Management Convention is crucial.
  • Demonstrate the performance of the BWMS installed on board a ship in accordance with the requirements of the BWMS Code using shipboard tests. In particular, he has to demonstrate the smooth operation of the system on board and the compliance with the D-2-Standard without impairing or endangering ship safety, the crew, the environment or human health.

Additional requirements for a BWMS that makes use of Active substances

As part of the approval process for a BWMS containing Active substances, the manufacturer needs to, in addition to the above, perform the approval process for ballast water management systems using Active Substances (Resolution MEPC.169(57) - G9). In doing so, he essentially has to prove the environmental compatibility and application safety of the Active substance comprehensively.

The approval of Active Substances is divided into two stages: Basic Approval and Final Approval. The basic approval entitles the manufacturer to use the Active substance(s) within the framework of the test procedures for type approval. The final approval certifies that the Active substances are harmless during the tests.

The Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) decides on the approval of the Active substance on the basis of the recommendations of the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection - Ballast Water Working Group (GESAMP-BWWG). The national approval authority submits the application for corresponding approvals in the form of a submission to the MEPC.

As part of the approval procedure at the BSH, the following technical authorities are comprehensively involved in various aspects:

  • the German Social Accident Insurance Institution for Commercial Transport, Postal Logistics and Telecommunication (BG Verkehr) on ship safety aspects,
  • the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) for toxicological evaluation,
  • the Federal Environment Agency (UBA) on questions of ecotoxicology, and
  • In addition, the Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) is responsible for testing the marketability of the Active substances used within the framework of EU coordination with reference to the EU Biocides Directive.