The International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMGD) Code lays out the regulatory framework for all aspects of handling dangerous goods and marine pollutants in sea transport,
Since it was Firs published in 1965, the Code has undergone many changes, in both format and content, in order to keep up with the rapid expansion of the shipping industry.
Amendment 39-18 includes revisions to various sections of the Code and to transport requirements for specific substances. It was adopted by the International Maritime Organization's Maritime Safety Committee at its ninety-ninth session in may 2018 and is mandatory as fro 1 january 2020 but may be applied by administrations in whole or in part on a voluntary basis from 1 january 2019.