12 December 2013

Standards for Sea Freight Container Stands — for comment

Who does this notice affect?

All industry representatives, stevedores, shipping companies, wharf/terminal managers, Quarantine Approved Premises and other stakeholders involved with the inspection of sea freight containers imported into Australia.

What has changed?

The Department of Agriculture has commissioned a review of the Risk Assessment for Support and Inspection of Large Containers – Final Report v4, 2001, by Dr R Platfoot, Covaris Pty Ltd. The department's Air and Sea Caro Program commissioned the reviewers to draft a new standard which will replace the current Guideline Standards for Container Inspection Stands.

The new standard will provide clear design, construction, repair, certification and safe use requirements for industry stakeholders, operators/providers, the department and other users of sea freight container inspection stands.

The Air and Sea Caro Program is providing the draft standard to industry stakeholders and operators/providers of sea freight container inspection stands. After the consultation process is complete, the new standard will be published in February 2014 and will come into effect in April/May 2014. Exact dates will be advised closer to publication and implementation.

Any stands that do not satisfy the new standard on and after the implementation date will not be used by the department.

Action required

The Air and Sea Cargo Program is inviting all interested parties to comment on the draft document Standards for Sea Freight Container Stands which is now ready for stakeholder comment by 10 January 2014.

The document and can be accessed on the Department of Agriculture website.

The department is committed to a robust and inclusive consultative process. All feedback will be considered.

How?

Please review the draft Standards for Sea Freight Container Inspection Stands and forward your comment via email to the department's Air and Sea Cargo Program.

Further Information

For further information please email the Air and Sea Cargo Program.