Most authorities require AIS products to be certified and tested to conform to IMO standards prior to being used in their territories. AIS is a carefully balanced system with multiple independent devices operating within it. To ensure the system continues to work, it is important for testing to ensure interopability.
To ensure interoperability within the AIS system, products need to meet a series of international and national standards. to meet these standards, each product needs to be tested by a competent and experienced third party. Testing by a third party ensures transparency and that the device will operate within the AIS system, as it is intended to.
Once testing has been carried out, the reports are given to a notified body who have the authority to award the standard. This thorough testing and certification process maintains the integrity of the AIS system.
Competent testing houses: TUV, BSH, York EMC, Hursley EMC, SRRC
Leading notified bodies that award the standards: BABT, BSH, NZAUCtick, CCNR
Using the standards developed by IALA and the ITU, IMO members implement testing procedures to ensure each AIS device is interoperable within the AIS system in their region. Below you can find details on each standard, their acronyms, and what AIS devices they cover.
Acronyms
USCG - United States Coast Guard
FCC - Federal Communications Commission
MED - Martitime Equipment Directive
R&TTE - Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (CE approval)
IC - Industry Canada
TC - Transport Canada
CCNR - Central Commission for Navigation of the Rhine
USCG
United States Coast Guard (USCG)
The USCG regulates all AIS equipment to ensure they are suitable for use on a vessel in American waters. Each AIS product type is regulated by the USCG, who work in tandem with the FCC.
Organisation name
FCC
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The FCC works in conjunction with the USCG by ensuring every AIS device is suitable for operation within the radio controlled environment in America. As with the USCG, they regulate every AIS product type.
Organisation name
MED
Wheelmark (MED)
The Wheelmark award is given by the Marine Equipment Directive, part of the European Union. Although it is awarded in Europe, it’s standards are recognised across the world. The standards relate specifically to IMO mandated SOLAS vessels, Class A units and SARTs.
Organisation name
R&TTE
Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment (CE)
CE is also awarded by the EU and covers all other AIS products that don’t fall under the Wheelmark approval. As with the Wheelmark award, CE is awarded by the European Union, but its standards are recognised across the world. R&TTE stands for Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment, click here for more information on the directive.
Organisation name
IC
Industry Canada (IC)
Industry Canada acts like the FCC in America, as it ensures the AIS device is suitable for operation within the radio controlled environment in Canada. As with TC, they only regulate certain AIS products, visit the IC Website for the most up-to-date list of product types they regulate.
Organisation name
TC
Transport Canada (TC)
Transport Canada regulates AIS devices in Canada. Unlike many other international organisations, it only regulates certain AIS equipment. Visit the TC website for the latest information on which AIS devices are regulated. TC ensures the AIS device is fit for use on a vessel in Canadian waters.
Organisation name
CCNR
EU Inland Waterways (CCNR)
Inland waterways in Europe require a specific AIS standard, administered by Central Commission for Navigation of the Rhine (CCNR). Countries covered by the CCNR include Holland, Belgium and Germany. The CCNR regulations only cover Class A transceivers with inland waterways capabilities.
Organisation name
AIS devices