PRS returns to IACS membership

PRS says it welcomes its comeback to IACS, which coincides with the 75th anniversary of the society, with satisfaction. It adds that the process of verification of PRS against the new membership criteria covered a thorough examination of PRS capabilities, activities, organizational structure and quality management system.

The society says that its period outside IACS was not lost time. Company re-engineering, focus on quality performance, rule development based on scientific research as well as shipowners’ support stimulated further development and substantiation of PRS class identity. As an IACS outsider, PRS believes it could see safety issues from a different perspective.

PRS goes on to say that its re-accession to IACS coincides with IMO development of a new regime for safety standards that assigns a new role to classification societies. Through their rules, societies will have to transpose to ships the IMO standards defining the required safety level at sea. The new role will require a risk-based approach to the development of the rules. This is a challenge that class societies must face. It believes that IACS, as a forum for the cooperation of classification societies, will find PRS a ready partner to work and share in this important period for safety assurance at sea.