EC Regulation No 782/2003 on the prohibition of organotin compounds on ships has been adopted.

According to this Regulation,
1. As from 1 July 2003, TBT anti-fouling paints shall not be applied or re-applied on EU vessels.
2. As from 1 January 2008, both EU and third country flagged vessels entering EU ports shall either not bear TBT anti-fouling paints or bear a coating that forms a barrier to such paints.

Ships of 400 gross tonnage and above, excluding fixed or floating platforms, FSUs and FPSOs, shall be surveyed and certified from 1 July 2003. Ships of 24 meters or more in length, but less than 400 gross tonnage, excluding fixed or floating platforms, FSUs and FPSOs, shall carry an Declaration to demonstrate compliance with the above.

AFS-Certificates and AFS-Declarations issued by Parties to the AFS-Convention is recognised as certificates and documents issued in conformity with this Regulation. With regard to the AFS-Convention, please refer to ClassNK Technical Information No. TEC-0496.

For any questions about the above, please contact:

NIPPON KAIJI KYOKAI (ClassNK)
External Affairs Division, Administration Center, Head Office
Address: 4-7 Kioi-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-8567, Japan
Tel.: +81-3-5226-2038
Fax: +81-3-5226-2039
E-mail: xad@classnk.or.jp