Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the Merchant Shipping (BCH Code) Regulations 1987.

They bring into effect amendments which have been adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee of the International Maritime Organization (and also by its Maritime Safety Committee). The adopted amendments rationalise and add to the lists of substances appended to Annex II of MARPOL 73/78 with some changes of categorisation. Additional substances have been added to Chapters VI and VII of the BCH Code largely from pollution aspects and there has been some change in existing categorisation and some editorial amendment. A 1990 edition of the BCH Code has been produced.

Copies of the Code and MARPOL Amendments are obtainable from the International Maritime Organization, 4 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR.