Container examination schemes

Approved Continuous Examination Programme (ACEP) Periodic Examination Scheme (PES)

Containers should be regularly examined for their safety and suitability for use in accordance with:

  • an Approved Continuous Examination Programme (ACEP) or
  • a Periodic Examination Scheme (PES)

Both schemes require containers to undergo regular examinations, carried out to the same standard and in the same manner. The difference lies only in the frequency with which the examinations are necessary:

  • Under ACEP the examination is carried out in connection with a major repair, refurbishment or on-hire/off-hire interchange - but the interval between examinations must not exceed 30 months.
  • Under PES the interval from date of manufacture to first examination must not exceed five years. The container should then be examined at intervals not greater than 30 months.

Operators are permitted to apply for either or both ACEP and PES approval and may operate their fleets under either or both arrangements.

Inspections under both schemes must be carried out by a competent person and cover the following aspects of the container:

  • corrosion
  • the condition of welding
  • the condition of riveting or similar method of fastening
  • the presence of mechanical damage
  • the condition of structural components where applicable, eg frame, corner fittings, door and hatch closure gear, floor and external panelling
  • the validity of the safety approval plate

HSE approves examination schemes for owners or lessees of containers in Great Britain. Organisations wishing to obtain approval for an examination scheme should consider the instructions found in the document 'Conditions for approval of examination schemes or programmes' (The Yellow guide) below, and provide HSE with the following information and assurances:

  • A formal request for approval of examination arrangements under the Freight Containers (Safety Convention) Regulations 2017.
  • A statement of whether you propose to carry out examinations under PES, ACEP or both schemes.
  • Confirmation that the examinations will only be carried out on containers, the design of which has been approved by an organisation appointed by HSE in accordance with the instructions found in the conditions for approval.
  • Confirmation that the examinations will be carried out by a competent person in accordance with the instructions found in the conditions for approval.

HSE's approved container examination schemes

Please visit the list of current HSE approved examination schemes[31]. It confirms the allocated plate number and the last known company name and address.

Further information

Conditions for approval of examination schemes or programmes [32]

To request approval of an examination scheme, contact HSE at docks@hse.gov.uk

Link URLs in this page

  1. Ports and dockshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/index.htm
  2. Overview - Ports industryhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/hse.htm
  3. Key industry stakeholdershttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/stakeholders.htm
  4. Enforcing authoritieshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/enforcing.htm
  5. Overview - Legal requirementshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/legal-requirements.htm
  6. Dangerous goods - (DGHAR) https://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/dangerous-goods.htm
  7. Fishing vesselshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/fishing-vessels.htm
  8. FAQs on ports and dockshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/faqs.htm
  9. Overview - Freight container safetyhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/containers.htm
  10. Freight container regulationshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/regulations.htm
  11. Container design and manufacture approvalhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/container-approval.htm
  12. Container examination schemeshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/container-examination.htm
  13. RAIB - accident reportshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/raib.htm
  14. Overview - Topicshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/topics.htm
  15. Workplace transporthttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/transport.htm
  16. Lifting operationshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/lifting-operations.htm
  17. Working at heighthttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/falls.htm
  18. Dusty cargoeshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/dusty-cargoes.htm
  19. Musculoskeletal disordershttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/msd.htm
  20. Whole-body vibrationhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/vibration.htm
  21. Slips and tripshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/slips-and-trips.htm
  22. Confined spaceshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/confined-spaces.htm
  23. Overview - Access to vesselshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/access-to-vessels.htm
  24. Linkspans and walkwayshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/linkspans-walkways.htm
  25. Standards at quayside ladders https://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/quayladder.htm
  26. Overview - Resourceshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/resources.htm
  27. Publications and guidancehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/publications.htm
  28. Case studieshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/case-studies.htm
  29. Statisticshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/statistics.htm
  30. Useful linkshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/links.htm
  31. list of current HSE approved examination schemeshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/ports/hse-approved-container-examination-scheme.htm
  32. Conditions for approval of examination schemes or programmes https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/dis9.htm
  33. L148 - Safety in docks. ACOPhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l148.htm
  34. L155 - Dangerous goods in harbour areas Regs 2016https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l155.htm
  35. Container approval - Green guidehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/dis8.htm
  36. Container examination - Yellow guidehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/dis9.htm
  37. Quick guide to health and safety in portshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg446.htm
  38. Port Skills and Safety https://www.portskillsandsafety.co.uk/resources
  39. Department for Transport - Portshttps://www.gov.uk/transport/ports-harbours-and-offshore-installations
  40. International Maritime Organisation (IMO)http://www.imo.org/
  41. Port skills and safetyhttps://www.portskillsandsafety.co.uk/resources
  42. Logisticshttps://www.hse.gov.uk/logistics/index.htm
  43. Risk managementhttps://www.hse.gov.uk/risk/index.htm
  44. Explosivehttps://www.hse.gov.uk/explosives/index.htm
  45. Work equipmenthttps://www.hse.gov.uk/work-equipment-machinery/index.htm
  46. Work at heighthttps://www.hse.gov.uk/work-at-height/index.htm
  47. Workplace transporthttps://www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport/index.htm

Glossary of abbreviations/acronyms on this page

DGHAR
Duties under the Dangerous Goods in Harbour Areas Regulations 2016
RAIB
Rail Accident Investigation Branch
ACOP
Approved Code of Practice

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Updated 2024-03-20