Recognized Organization (RO)

A Recognized Organization is an entity, almost always a classification society, that a flag state authorizes to carry out statutory surveys and certification on its behalf under SOLAS, MARPOL, and Load Lines. The relationship is governed by the IMO RO Code (MSC.349(92) and MEPC.237(65)), which sets the quality-management, competence, and oversight requirements the flag must impose and audit. The RO’s performance feeds the port state control targeting and the Paris MoU performance lists, since RO failures show up as detentions.