• The International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling
Systems on Ships, which was adopted on 5 October 2001, will prohibit the use of harmful organotin compounds in anti-fouling paints used on ships and will establish a mechanism to prevent the potential future use of other harmful substances in anti-fouling systems.
• The Convention entered into force on 17 September 2008
• that by the effective date of 1 January 2003, all ships shall not apply or
re-apply organotins compounds which act as biocides in anti-fouling
systems, and by 1 January 2008 (effective date), ships either:
(a) shall not bear such compounds on their hulls or external parts or
surfaces; or
(b) shall bear a coating that forms a barrier to such compounds
leaching from the underlying non-compliant anti-fouling system