During a quick assessment, it is surprising to us to learn that still persons in the maritime industry that believes that Classification Societies and Recognized Organizations are the same and have the same duties; therefore, we decided to bring some clarity on this topic.
Classification Societies can become Recognized Organizations if a Flag State delegate the authority for the performance of statutory certification in compliance with the RO Code, but….
CLASSIFICATION SOCIETIES are organizations which develop and apply technical standards for the design, construction and survey of ship and which carry out survey and inspections on board ships, but using its own standards which are applied to the building, maintenance and equipment installed on a ship. Upon satisfactory completion, it is expected that a ship will be assigned with class notations for hull and machinery and be certified accordingly.
RECOGNIZED ORGANIZATIONS means an organization that has been assessed by a flag State and found to comply with the RO Code for the conducting of statutory certification under mandatory IMO instruments (i.e. SOLAS, MARPOL, Load Lines, etc.) with the intention to maintain ships flying their flag within the standards.
In short, Classification Societies have their own standards while Recognized Organizations follow mandatory IMO Instruments.