IMO and EU regulations and certification for sewage treatment plants continue to be a major source of confusion, misunderstanding and misinformation. In this guide, we try to give an overview of the facts and to clear some misconceptions.
SUMMARY
- IMO certificates and EC Type Examination (Module B, MED-B) certificates are two very different things: The IMO certificate is needed to prove the treatment performance of the plant; the MED-B certificate with the wheelmark is needed to be able to market the product within the EU.
- The note on MED-B (Module B) certificates that a plant complies with IMO regulation only states that the manufacturer was able to convince the certifying body of a compliance. It does not state, that the plant has been tested by the certifying body to IMO standards.
- MED-B certificates are not substitutes for IMO certificates
- Within the EU, both MED-B and IMO certificates are needed, outside of the EU, only IMO certificates are needed
- The weakness of the EC Type Examination (Module B, MED-B) certification process seems to be the lack of verification of information handed in by the applying manufacturer
IMO REGULATIONS & CERTIFICATION
OBJECTIVE OF IMO REGULATIONS
IMO MEPC regulations aim to ensure that sewage treatment plants installed on ships meet certain performance standards in terms of effluent quality.
IMO CERTIFICATION UNDER RESOLUTION MEPC.227(64)
- IMO certificates are valid worldwide. They confirm that the STP complies with the required effluent values.
- To receive IMO certification, a 10-day test in operation has to be successfully completed, during which the influent and effluent quality is constantly monitored. In addition, the electrical test to MEPC.107(49) (vibration, temperature and humidity) has to be cleared.
- An IMO certificate carries the following headline (may vary slightly):
CERTIFICATE OF TYPE APPROVAL FOR SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS
Issued under the authority of the government of [member state]”
- The underlying regulation are currently IMO Resolutions MEPC.227(64) excl. or incl. Section 4.2 (MARPOL Annex IV special areas) and MEPC.107(49).
- Every IMO member state has one authorized certifying body that can issue IMO certificates, in Germany the BG Verkehr, in Norway is a state authority directly. The manufacturer has to use the certifying body in the state where he has his registered head office.
DIRECTORY OF IMO-CERTIFIED PRODUCTS
EU REGULATIONS & CERTIFICATION
OBJECTIVE OF EU REGULATION
The EU Marine Equipment Directive (EU-MED) aims towards the harmonization of the implementation of standards set by international bodies like IMO among EU member states to ensure the smooth functioning of the EU internal market.
EU CONFORMITY ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES
- EC Type Examination Certificates (Module B) only confirm that a product may be placed on the EU internal market. They are of no value outside of the EU.
- To receive a MED Module B certificate, has to document that the STP complies with IMO regulation, but no separate test in operation is carried out to validate the information given by the manufacturer.
- A MED Module B certificate carries the following headline and carries the wheelmark sign:
EC TYPE EXAMINATION CERTIFICATE
(Module B)
- The underlying regulation is currently Marine Equipment Directive (MED) 2014/90/EU, as amended by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/773.
- Every EU member state has authorized one or more notified bodies that can issue MED certificates, in Germany that is among others BG Verkehr and DNVGL. The manufacturer can use a certifying body of his choice that is authorized by the state where he has his registered head office.
- The key certificate is MED Module B (MED-B, Type approval). It needs to be complemented with either one of the modules D, E, F – an MED-B alone is not enough to place a product on the market.
DIRECTORY OF EU-MED CERTIFIED PRODUCTS
https://portal.med.emsa.europa.eu
All HAMANN sewage treatment plants and advanced wastewater treatment systems are certified according to IMO and EU-MED regulations.