IMO has signed a unique agreement to strengthen cooperation with the technical body whose members undertake ship survey and certification duties on behalf of IMO Member States. The International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) represents so-called Recognised Organizations (ROs) at IMO. Survey and certification is vital to the effective implementation of IMO measures and ROs must comply with a mandatory code developed by IMO in order to undertake this important technical work for the Member States. Under the terms of the agreement (signed on 7 December), IMO and IACS will exchange technical information on a regular basis and strengthen existing lines of dialogue between the two organizations.