Circular 002

The President of the National Institute of Aquatic Spaces, in the exercise of the powers conferred by Article 73, numerals 1 and 2 of the Decree with Rank, Value, and Force of Law of the Organic Law of Aquatic Spaces, in alignment with the provisions of Article 227 of the Law of Marinas and Connected Activities (LMAC) and Article 17 of the Organic Administrative Procedures Law.
Whereas, the National Institute of Aquatic Spaces is responsible for ensuring that shipping companies, their vessels, and those under construction maintain the safety levels provided by law regarding shore-based and shipboard management, through the coordination and execution of radio-technical, safety, and aquatic pollution prevention inspections and technical controls that enable the safe operation of vessels.
Whereas, the ISO 9001 Standard is an international standard issued by the International Organization for Standardization applied to products and services related to quality management and is applicable to any type of organization across any sector or activity.
By means of this circular, all entities within the Aquatic Sector, and particularly Aquatic Transport Service Companies and Diving Operators, are hereby informed that from this date forward, the following is established:

3. Aquatic sector entities must comply with the implementation of management systems according to the following parameters:

Companies and Entities	Requirement	Compliance Date
Shipping Companies, Classification Societies, Shipping Agencies, Freight Forwarders, Cargo Consolidators, Multimodal Transport, Marine Brokerage, Ship Chandling and Provisioning, Aquatic Security or Life-Saving Services (Construction and Repair of Safety Equipment), Prevention and Combat of Environmental Pollution in Aquatic Spaces, and Industrial, Recreational, Sports, Fishing, and Scientific Diving Operators.	Implement a Quality Management System under the ISO 9001:2015 Standard. This requirement will be essential for the operating authorization of the respective companies.	Before June 30, 2019

The Aquatic Authority, through the General Management of Marinas, the Management of Maritime Transport and Traffic, and the Information Technology Office, shall ensure compliance with this Circular.

Notify the content of this Circular through all dissemination mechanisms.

In Caracas, on the 8th day of the month of February, 2019.

CÉSAR VLADIMIR ROMERO SALAZAR

President of the National Institute of Aquatic Spaces

Decree No. 2,874 dated May 18, 2017.

Reprinted due to material error, according to Official Gazette No. 41.166 dated June 6, 2017.

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