The draft Guidance applies to the great majority of containers that are used for international freight except for those specifically designed for carriage by air. The scope is limted to containers of a minimum prescribed size having corner fittings.

Draft Freight container examination schemes or programmes - Conditions for approval (the Yellow guide)

This draft Guidance along with the Draft Freight Containers (Safety Convention) Regulations 2017 and Draft Approval of freight containers -Arrangements in Great Britain (the Green Guide), which are separately notified, implement the UK (in GB) obligations under the International Convention for Safe Containers, 1972, as amended by resolutions MSC.310 (88) and resolution MSC.355(92) (“C.S.C.”).

Regulations 4 and 7 of the Draft Freight Containers (Safety Convention) Regulations 2017 impose a condition that containers must be properly maintained and meet the examination requirements set out in regulation 7. For examination requirements to be met, periodic examination schemes or continuous examination programmes must be approved by the Health and Safety Executive.

This draft Guidance sets out the provisions for approved examination programmes. Containers must be examined periodically or as part of a continuous examination programme. The competent person carrying out the examinations may require the use of any appropriate method of non-destructive testing including the application of appropriate tests in accordance with Annex II of the International Convention for Safe Containers (C.S.C.) or, if applicable, International Standard ISO 1496.

The approved examination programmes will be audited at least every five years to ensure they are complying with the conditions of an approved programme. Approved programmes are subject to a further 10 year audit to ensure the programmes remain viable.

In accordance with the C.S.C. Containers operated in the GB area may be subject to restrictions where there is significant evidence for believing that the condition of the container is such as to create an obvious risk to safety. Restrictions might include an immediate out of service determination. Such restrictions may only be imposed by an authorised Health and Safety Executive officer.