ISO 20679:2025
(Main)Ships and marine technology — Marine environment protection — Testing of ship biofouling in-water cleaning systems
Ships and marine technology — Marine environment protection — Testing of ship biofouling in-water cleaning systems
This document provides detailed and rigorous procedures for the independent performance testing of all forms of ship in-water cleaning (IWC), including on all types of biofouling (i.e. biofilms/microfouling and macrofouling), all external submerged surfaces (i.e. hull and niche areas), and both proactive and reactive IWC systems with or without the capture, processing, and disposal of debris. This document also includes testing protocols and describes how to produce data and report on the efficacy and safety of IWC systems to clean various ship surfaces and for the capture and disposal of cleaning debris. The development of specific IWC performance requirements, criteria, or standards is outside the scope of this document and is the responsibility of individual authorities, agencies, or administrations. Similarly, while some methods and approaches described in this document can apply to other ship biofouling management approaches, systems designed to kill or prevent biofouling on external surfaces without removal (i.e. without in-water cleaning), and systems that remove or treat biofouling on internal surfaces (e.g. seawater pipes) or external surfaces of intricate mechanical components (e.g. external parts of propeller shaft seal), are also outside the scope of this document.
Navires et technologie maritime — Protection de l'environnement marin — Essais des systèmes de nettoyage des salissures biologiques sans sortir le navire de l'eau
General Information
Standards Content (Sample)
International
Standard
ISO 20679
First edition
Ships and marine technology —
2025-01
Marine environment protection —
Testing of ship biofouling in-water
cleaning systems
Navires et technologie maritime — Protection de
l'environnement marin — Essais des systèmes de nettoyage des
salissures biologiques sans sortir le navire de l'eau
Reference number
© ISO 2025
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Published in Switzerland
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Contents Page
Foreword .v
Introduction .vi
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Fundamental information needed for testing of IWC systems . 3
4.1 Factors that can impact performance .3
4.2 Fundamental parameters .4
5 Test experimental design . 6
5.1 General .6
5.2 Classification of IWC system application for testing .8
5.3 Duration and extent of testing.9
5.3.1 General .9
5.3.2 Proactive systems .9
5.3.3 Reactive systems .9
6 Quantification of biofouling removal and prevention .10
6.1 IWC systems.10
6.1.1 General .10
6.1.2 Proactive systems .10
6.1.3 Reactive systems .10
6.2 Fouling rating .10
6.3 Control and treated test locations .11
6.4 Biofouling survey sampling methods . 12
6.4.1 General . 12
6.4.2 Hull areas . 12
6.4.3 Niche areas . 13
6.4.4 Hull and niche areas .14
6.4.5 Proactive systems .14
6.5 Dive survey sampling method during low visibility .16
6.5.1 Hull areas .16
6.5.2 Niche areas .16
6.6 Environmental characteristics to quantify .17
7 Quantification of changes to water quality . 17
7.1 Water quality measures as proxies for broad environmental impacts.17
7.1.1 General .17
7.1.2 Proactive systems .17
7.1.3 Reactive systems .17
7.2 Water quality parameters to quantify .17
7.3 Water quality sample collection .19
7.4 Environmental characterization .21
8 Quantification of debris processing and effluent .21
8.1 Overview .21
8.2 Sampling the debris processing unit. 22
8.3 Water quality parameters to quantify . 23
8.4 Solid waste disposal .24
9 Quantification of IWC impact on ship coatings .24
10 Data management .24
10.1 System for data management .24
10.1.1 General .24
10.1.2 Data quality objectives . 25
10.1.3 Data quality indicators . 25
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10.2 Data recording and archiving . 25
10.3 Data analysis . 25
10.3.1 Overview . 25
10.3.2 Quality assurance and quality control. 26
10.3.3 Measurement uncertainty . 26
11 Quality assessments .26
11.1 Fundamental principles. 26
11.2 Technical audits .27
11.2.1 Overview .27
11.2.2 Technical system audit .27
11.2.3 Audit of data quality .27
11.3 Data quality assessment .27
11.4 Non-conforming work and corrective action . 28
11.5 Audit reporting . . 28
12 Human health and environmental safety .28
13 Test report .29
Annex A (informative) Example of biofouling surveys of various surface types .30
Annex B (informative) Optional method for additional determinations of IWC impacts on ship
coatings .
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