Ship Sanitation Certificate

Ship Sanitation Certificate

The Ship Sanitation Certificate is a compulsory requirement on board ships sailing in international waters.

Applications for Ship Sanitation Certificate inspections can be made to the GGD Groningen (Medical Health Service). The GGD Groningen is responsible for issuing Ship Sanitation Certificates at both Delfzijl and Eemshaven ports.

The Ship Sanitation Certificate was introduced to prevent the worldwide spread of infectious diseases. Inspections are conducted on the basis of requirements laid down by the World Health Organization (WHO) and as incorporated under Dutch Law into the Public Health Act.

Three types of certificate

  1. A Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate (SSCEC) certifies that the ship has been inspected and found to be in order and is exempt from further inspections for a period of six months. This doesn’t necessarily mean that there are no shortcomings at all. Any shortcomings are listed on the Evidence Report Form that is issued as an attachment with the certificate.
  2. A Ship Sanitation Control Certificate (SSCC) entails that the ship has been inspected and certain shortcomings have been discovered that pose a threat to the public health, the health of the crew and/or contribute to the emergence of infectious diseases. These shortcomings are listed on the certificate. These shortcomings must be resolved, and resubmitted for inspection.
  3. 1. There is also an Extension of the Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate (ESSCEC). In case an inspection cannot be executed, the GGD can issue this extension to the old, valid certificate for a period of one month.

Visit: GGD.NL