Criteria to measure the effectiveness of the rules and procedures as well as the performance of recognised organisations : executive summary

The objective of the study support is (i) to identify and develop criteria to measure the effectiveness of the ROs' rules and procedures, (ii) to review the existing system set out in the current Decision 2009/491/EC and to provide the basis for identifying and developing new criteria for the performance of the ROs as regards the safety of and the prevention of pollution from their classed ships, and (iii) to identify and develop criteria to determine when such performance is to be considered an unacceptable threat to safety or the environment. The study is carried out via three tasks: Task 1 provide an overview of the present context through evidence collection. The focus is on collecting and reviewing existing evidence on measuring of effectiveness of RO rules and procedures and of RO performance, and on identifying effectiveness and performance criteria applied by the different stakeholders. This is done partly via desk research (i.e. previous studies, statistics, etc.) and via targeted interviews and a questionnaire survey. In Task 2 options for three sets of criteria are identified. The focus is on comparing the evidence collected in Task 1 across stakeholder types with a view on identifying candidates for the options and on assessing the acceptance of the options across stakeholders. In Task 3 different options for the three sets of criteria are identified. The focus is on assessing which of the options for the respective three sets of criteria are considered the most relevant and expected to be the most effective and efficient in ensuring RO performance and so in contributing to high-standard shipping. Task 3 is thus mainly a concluding exercise aiming at proposing the most relevant, effective and efficient options - for possible further development by the Commission. The study was implemented in the period from June 2020 until May 2021. The total duration of the study was extended due to delays as a result of COVID-19 restrictions. The data collection is composed of five exploratory interviews carried out in the inception phase of the study covering the main stakeholder types; 22 targeted interviews carried between November 2020 and January 2021. A targeted questionnaire survey was carried out to improve the evidence base, hereunder filling the data gaps identified. In total, 42 stakeholder responses were collected representing a wide range of interests in the criteria to measure the effectiveness of rules/procedures/performance of recognised organisations. Finally, a stakeholder workshop was held as part of Task 3 in March 2021.