Ship sanitation certificates
Ship sanitation certificates are used to prevent, detect and manage international threats to human health. They also aim to reduce the risk of infectious agents or other substances that pose or may pose a threat to human health, and prevent them being brought into Sweden or spread to other countries.
The Public Health Agency of Sweden has appointed 53 municipalities that are entitled to issue ship sanitation certificates following inspections. The Public Health Agency of Sweden’s regulations and general guidelines contain information about the municipalities with the power to issue ship sanitation certificates, the certificate’s formulation, when a ship must present such a certificate, and which authority must receive the certificate.
A guide is also available to help municipalities that issue ship sanitation certificates:
Ship sanitation certificates (in Swedish)
When is a ship sanitation certificate required?
Ships in international traffic must have a valid ship sanitation certificate confirming that there are no infectious agents or other hazardous substances on board. The certificate must be renewed every six months. The master of the ship must be able to present a ship sanitation certificate to the Swedish Coast Guard or Swedish Customs upon arrival at the first Swedish port. If the master of the ship cannot produce a certificate, the Coast Guard or Customs must notify the municipality. The municipality can then conduct an inspection to ensure that the ship is free of substances that pose a threat to human health. Just as with other authorities, the municipality must notify the Public Health Agency of Sweden if they suspect any threats to human health.
Ship sanitation certificate form
Municipalities must use the official form that can be found on page 129-130 (annex 1) in WHO:s handbook for the inspection of ships and issuance of ship sanitation certificates.
Handbook for inspection of ships and issuance of ship sanitation certificates (who.int)
Municipalities can also use the evidence report form found on page 141-142 (annex 8) in Handbook for the inspection of ships and issuance of ship sanitation certificates.
Handbook for inspection of ships and issuance of ship sanitation certificates (who.int)