Department of Homeland Security June 26, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

In the interest of providing seafarers with clear, concise, and accurate information on the health effects of certain toxic substances, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) recently amended the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, to require Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) for ships carrying oil or oil fuel as defined in regulation 1 of Annex I of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the Protocol of 1978 relating thereto (MARPOL). Once accepted by member States in accordance with Article VIII of SOLAS, and effective January 1, 2011, SOLAS will require that each ship subject to SOLAS and carrying oil or oil fuel as defined in MARPOL must be provided with MSDSs prior to loading such oil as cargo in bulk or oil fuel. Additionally, the IMO has recommended a format and content for the MSDSs, and that recommendation becomes effective July 1, 2009; the Coast Guard encourages this recommended format, which is set out below.