DNV is one of 10 members of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS), an interest organisation dedicated to act as a means for collaboration among classification societies to secure uniformity of relevant requirements for standards of ship design.

On 1 July, 2008 DNV Maritime completed our chairmanship of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). The chairmanship rotates on an annual basis between the 10 IACS members and it was DNV's turn to hold this important position from 1 July 2007 until 1 july 2008.

IACS members contribute as advisers to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) on technical matters through IACS – which have consultative status in IMO.

The main “product” of the collaboration in IACS are the Unified Requirements and Common Structural Rules for Oil Tankers and Bulk Carriers. In addition, IACS develop Unified Interpretations of International Conventions.

For more information about IACS, see the IACS website , where all UR/CSRs and UIs can be found. The IACS web also contain Questions/Answers and Common Interpretations of CSR and the new IMO Performance Standard for Protective Coatings (PSPC).