Common rules and standards for ship inspection and survey organisations. Recast

 The committee adopted the report by Luis de GRANDES PASCUAL (EPP-ED, ES) amending - under the 1st reading of the codecision procedure - the proposed directive on common rules and standards for ship inspection and survey organisations and for the relevant activities of maritime administrations:

-  for the English version of the text, the committee proposed replacing the term "incident" by "marine casualty";

- whereas the Commission was proposing a minimum amount of  financial compensation in the event of personal injury (EUR 4 million) or loss or damage to property (EUR 2 million), the committee said that, where the amount determined in the judgment or settlement is lower, that lower figure should apply;

- the aggregate amount of the fines provided for in Article 12 should be lowered from 10%, as proposed by the Commission, to 5%;

- the Member States, together with the recognised organisations, should set up an Assessment Committee in accordance with the EN 45012 quality standards. The relevant professional organisations working in the shipping industry could participate in an advisory capacity. The committee's tasks would include certifying the quality system of recognised organisations. It should be empowered to act independently of the recognised organisations, be given access to all the resources needed to be able to operate properly, and "possess highly specialised and extensive technical skills";

- the Commission should report to Parliament and the Council within 3 years on "the level reached in the process of harmonising the rules and regulations and on mutual recognition".