HSSC
A2. Maritime safety legislation: SOLAS and its codesDefinition
Harmonized System of Survey and Certification under SOLAS, MARPOL, Load Lines, and BCH/IBC/IGC/BWM.
The Harmonized System of Survey and Certification aligns the survey dates and certificate validity periods across SOLAS, MARPOL, Load Lines, Tonnage 1969, and the BCH, IBC, IGC, and BWM regimes so a ship can undergo coordinated surveys. Introduced by the 1988 SOLAS and Load Lines Protocols and in force from 3 February 2000, it sets a maximum certificate validity of five years with annual, intermediate, and renewal surveys keyed to anniversary dates.
Source: 1988 SOLAS and Load Lines Protocols, in force 3 February 2000