Bureau Veritas launches world-wide e-certification
Bureau Veritas is now issuing both classification and statutory e-certificates following successful pilots with ship owners and flag states, the company said in its press release. Bureau Veritas digital certificates may now be issued on behalf of 52 flag states, representing 72% of the Bureau Veritas classed fleet.
E-certificates make life simpler for masters, ship owners and their staff as the related paperwork is time-consuming and can be expensive. E-certificates, delivered by email or accessible via the My VeriSTAR mobile application and the VeriSTAR Info desktop portal, reduce the administrative burden both on-board and ashore.
Bureau Veritas implemented the electronic signature feature of the new digital certificates working with Cert Europe, electronic signature experts. Cert Europe is certified in accordance with applicable technical requirements and specifications for class and statutory certification and supports digital certification for the Bureau Veritas Group. In 2017, Bureau Veritas issued more than 50,000 e-certificates for different services including the inspection of shipping containers.
Bureau Veritas e-certificates provide significant benefits for all stakeholders, providing:
* Reductions in administrative time and costs
* Secured accuracy
* Elimination of either the loss of or damage to original certificates - and the related risk of delay
* Reduced opportunities for fraud - no modification is possible without invalidating a signature
* Quicker and easier management of certification, with secure storage and easy sharing of documents among stakeholders
Bureau Veritas e-certificates display the usual content and layout of class and statutory documents and they incorporate an electronic signature. Every time a Bureau Veritas surveyor goes on-board a vessel a new version of the e-certificate is issued to reflect either the endorsement or the renewal of the required certification. Endorsement, managed via e-certification, requires that no document now will need to be manually signed and stamped. Certificate authenticity and validity can be verified via a secure online web portal using a QR code, URL or search via the certificate’s unique tracking number. Bureau Veritas e-certificates have been developed in compliance with IMO guidelines FAL 5/Circ.39/Rev 2, which invites flag state administrations to ensure adequate national legislation is in place for the use and acceptance of electronic certificates.
ABOUT BUREAU VERITAS
Bureau Veritas is a world leader in laboratory testing, inspection and certification services. Created in 1828, the Group has more than 74,000 employees in around 1,400 offices and laboratories located all across the globe. Bureau Veritas helps its clients to improve their performance by offering services and innovative solutions in order to ensure that their assets, products, infrastructure and processes meet standards and regulations in terms of quality, health and safety, environmental protection and social responsibility.