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International Quality
Assessment Review Body

IQARB is an independent international quality assessment review body established in 2019 to review the performance of the quality management systems of both Classification Societies and Recognized Organizations (ROs). IQARB conducts its duties objectively, impartially, and independently.

About

The IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) agreed at its 100th meeting (MSC 100) in December 2018, to a proposal for the establishment of a fully independent and international quality assessment review body for the ongoing review of IACS’ Quality System Certification Scheme (QSCS). IQARB was subsequently established in 2019 to review the certification process of the quality management systems of the IACS members which act as both Classification Societies and Recognized Organizations (ROs).

IQARB reviews the adequacy of IACS Quality System Certification Scheme (QSCS) in meeting the objectives set before Classification Societies for compliance with the requirements of the RO Code, in relation to the relevant provisions of IMO mandatory instruments, such as SOLAS 1974 regulations I/6, II-1/3-1 and XI-1/1, etc. as well as the III Code. In addition IQARB further considers:

  1. the performance of the Accredited Certification Bodies (ACBs) that audit and certify the classification societies for compliance with QSCS against the criteria set for ACBs in QSCS;
  2. the analysis of the nature of audit findings; and
  3. the robustness and effectiveness of the agreed corrective actions that CS/ROs have put in place to address the findings identified during the ACB audits.

IQARB doesn’t certify ROs/CSs, but the IQARB “Factual Statement” it issues annually to each RO/CS may however provide confidence to interested parties in the independence, integrity and robustness of the RO’s/CS’s Quality Management System certification by the ACBs. Importantly in November 2022 IMO MSC at its 106th meeting agreed:

  1. that the IQARB Factual Statements, confirming that ROs had implemented an effective quality management system, could assist Member States to focus their individual RO oversight programmes on targeted areas and specific matters pertaining to their ships;
  2. that the IQARB Factual Statements could be recognized during IMSAS audits as part of the oversight programme of ROs implemented by Member States in relation to evidencing that the RO had an effective quality management system in place; and
  3. to include aligned text in III Code Implementation Guidance.

IQARB is an advisory body that has been established to review the certification process of the quality management systems of both Classification Societies and ROs by considering:

  1. The adequacy of QSCS in meeting the objectives set before classification societies / ROs by regulators, industry, and in its compliance with the requirements of the RO Code in relation to the relevant provisions of IMO mandatory instruments.
  2. The performance of Accredited Certification Bodies (ACBs) against the criteria of QSCS;
  3. The nature of findings; and
  4. The robustness and effectiveness of the agreed corrective actions that classification societies/ROs should/have put in place to address the findings identified during ACB audits.

IQARB meets once a year at the earliest possible convenience and makes publicly available the Factual Statement of each classification society / RO within the purview of IQARB.

Factual Statements are the primary output of IQARB, containing details specific to each individual Classification Society / RO, based on IQARB’s consideration of the Statements of Fact presented by Representatives, and conclusions/recommendations on QSCS as a scheme and performance of ACBs. IQARB factual statements will either endorse the Representatives’ Statement of Fact in full, endorse with additional comment(s) or recommendation(s), or may issue a reservation with appropriate justification. Once agreed, the IQARB factual statement for each classification society / RO will be included in a consolidated report of all classification societies / ROs coming within the purview of IQARB and will be made available to the public.

IQARB members elect one member as Chair. The term of service for the IQARB Chair is three years with the option to be re-elected once. The current Chair of IQARB is Mr. Lars Lange (Photo below), Secretary General of the International Union of Marine Insurance.

Further information regarding the composition of IQARB can be found in the below sections on Structure and Membership.

Structure

IQARB is governed by the IQARB Protocol and is comprised of 14-17 voting members. The members are institutional and senior representatives from interested parties (listed in the Members section below). The IQARB members elect one member as Chair. The term of service for the IQARB Chair is three years with the option to be re-elected once.

IQARB also appoints an IQARB Independent Quality Assessment Analyst (IQAA) who’s role is to review audit findings and to provide IQARB with a report of the findings and observations. Subject to the agreement of IQARB members independent observers can be permitted to attend IQARB meetings provided they can demonstrate to the satisfaction of IQARB they have a legitimate and demonstrable interest, will respect the confidential nature of the information, and have no conflict(s) of interest.

Up to three representatives from each Accredited Certification Body (ACB) and classification society/RO are entitled to attend IQARB sessions where the Statement of Fact relating to that classification society/RO/ACB is discussed. In sessions where individual classification society/RO Statement of Fact are discussed, only the involved classification society/RO and its ACB is allowed to be present.

American Bureau of Shipping

Bureau Veritas

China Classification Society

Croatian Register of Shipping

DNV

Indian Register of Shipping

Korean Register

Lloyd’s Register

Nippon Kaiji Kyokai

Polish Register of Shipping

RINA

TL

IQARB Future Developments

  1.  The IQARB structure is intended to be modified to facilitate any interested IMO Member State being able to input into IQARB whilst at the same time maintaining the balance of input and decision making powers with other stakeholders including industry;
  2. A revised funding model is to be developed and agreed for IQARB reflecting the growth of IQARB in terms of independence, stakeholder involvement and services;
  3. IQARB shall become a legal entity with its own dedicated permanent secretariat through a merger between IQARB and QACE, the Quality Assessment and Certification Entity of Organisations Recognised by the European Union;
  4. IQARB which currently reviews the certification process of the quality management systems of the IACS members which act as both Classification Societies and Recognized Organizations (ROs) shall expand its role to cover quality oversight of other non IACS Class Societies and ROs;
  5. IQARB shall enhance further its interaction with IMO and its Member States with a view to supporting Members States in effectively achieving and delivering their RO Oversight Programmes utilising the work done by IQARB and its outputs recognised by the IMO Member State Audit Scheme and its auditors;
  6. IQARB will review its outputs, including Factual Statements, with the goal of providing greater services to assure the robustness of the quality management of Classification Societies and ROs;
  7. The merger between IQARB and QACE will result in a single legal entity which continues to fully meet the requirements specified in Article 11 of EU Regulation (EC) No 391/2009  on “Common rules and standards for ship inspection and survey organisations”