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International Association of Classification Societies
The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) is a gathering of ten classification socities, headquartered in London. It was founded on September 11, 1968 in the city of Hamburg .

Dedicated to safe ships and clean seas, IACS makes a unique contribution to maritime safety and regulation through technical support, compliance verification and research and development. More than 90% of the world's cargo carrying tonnage is covered by the classification design, construction and through-life compliance Rules and standards set by the ten Member Societies and one Associate of IACS.

IACS is a non-governmental organisation who is allowed to develop guidances for the International Maritime Organization(IMO). In other words, the IACS was given consultative status with IMO, and remains the only non-governmental organisation with observer status which is able to develop and apply rules. The quality of the rules is written in the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

The members of IACS are:

    * ABS American Bureau of Shipping
    * BV Bureau Veritas
    * CCS China Classification Society
    * DNV Det Norske Veritas
    * GL Germanischer Lloyd
    * KR Korean Register of Shipping
    * LR Lloyd's Register
    * NK Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK)
    * RINA Registro Italiano Navale
    * RS Russian Maritime Register of Shipping


IRS Indian Register of Shipping is currently an Associate but this status will expire.