IACS Unified Interpretations (UI)
IACS Unified Interpretations: how class societies interpret IMO convention text in one agreed way when acting as recognized organizations for flag states.
IACS Unified Interpretations (UIs) are the documents in which the International Association of Classification Societies agrees a common reading of an IMO convention requirement that is vague or open to several readings. Members apply a UI when they act as recognized organizations for a flag state, unless the flag instructs otherwise.
UIs are grouped by convention: the SC series covers SOLAS, MPC covers MARPOL and LL covers Load Lines. Two examples bear on the voyage data recorder : UI SC261 defines what installed on or after a given date means for the VDR performance standards, and UI SC279 sets the window for the annual performance test.
The full article will cover the difference between UIs, Unified Requirements and Procedural Requirements, how a UI is submitted to IMO and sometimes adopted as an MSC or MEPC circular, and how to find the current revision.