The IMDG Code that was adopted by resolution
A.716(17) and amended by Amendments 27-30, was
recommended to Governments for adoption or for use as
the basis for national regulations in pursuance of their
obligations under regulation VII/1.4 of the 1974 SOLAS
Convention, as amended and regulation 1(3) of Annex
III of MARPOL. The IMDG Code, as amended, attained
mandatory status on 1 January 2004, under the umbrella
of SOLAS, 1974; however, some parts of the Code
continue to be re-commendatory. Observance of the Code
lead to a harmonization of the practices and procedures
followed in the carriage of dangerous goods by sea and
ensures compliance with the mandatory provisions of the
SOLAS Convention and of Annex III of MARPOL.